Join Bernalillo County’s effort to transform mental health care by applying for its newly established Behavioral Health Advisory Board.
The board’s goal is to help the county build a comprehensive and community-based behavioral health system. The board was created after commissioners passed a law that set up the Bernalillo County Behavioral Health Authority.
Read more about the ordinance creating the authority here.
In a news release, Deputy County Manager for the Behavioral Health Division Wayne Lindstrom said the board needs people who are up for the job.
“We need diverse perspectives and experiences to create a robust and effective Behavioral Health Advisory Board,” said Johnson. “It’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact on our community’s well being.”
The board is part of a larger push to improve mental health and related services in the community. According to the news release, members will serve on a two-year term and will be appointed by the Bernalillo County Commission.
Behavioral Health Advisory Board’s primary duties:
- Advocate for individuals and families with serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, neurobiological and behavioral disorders, substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and those experiencing housing insecurity.
- Encourage the development of a comprehensive, integrated, community-based behavioral health system of care.
- Advise the Behavioral Health Authority on populations served, best practice approaches, specific services and programs, and elements of proposals, including outcomes and data.
- Annually review and assess progress on the strategic plan and report findings and recommendations to the County Commission.
- Review evaluations and performance of 10% of programs at random annually and issue a report on findings.
The board will consist of the following members:
Anyone interested in serving on the Behavioral Health Advisory Board can submit an application here.
- Hospital/Health System Representative
- Representative from the behavioral health provider field with expertise in substance abuse and/or mental health
- Two Public Safety Representatives (Law Enforcement, ACS, Fire, Dispatch, etc.)
- Courts Representative
- Community Health Worker Representative
- Peer Support Worker Representative (informed lived experience)
- City of Albuquerque Representative
- Housing Services Representative
- Youth Services Representative
- Indigenous Peoples’ Representative
- New Mexico Department of Behavioral Health Services
- Disability Rights Representative
- LGBTQ++ Representative
- The Deputy County Manager will serve as a non-voting ex-officio member.