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Mental Health Planning Council MHPC Advisory to OMHSAS

The Pennsylvania Mental Health Planning Council (MHPC) consists of three committees: Children's Advisory Committee, Adult Advisory Committee, and Older Adult  Advisory Committee. These committees come together to form the MHPC whose purpose is to advise on a broad behavioral mandate to include — but not be limited to — mental health, substance abuse, behavioral health disorders, and cross-system disability.

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) advisory committees include individual representatives of youth, adult and older adult individuals who have been served by the behavioral health system, family members of such youth and adults, providers, advocates, professionals, their respective organizations, as well as governmental organizations. At least 51 percent of the members are current or former behavioral health consumers and family members. 

Members are appointed by the Deputy Secretary of OMHSAS.

https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Mental-Health-In-PA/Pages/Mental-Health-Planning-Council.aspx

The Mental Health Planning Council Membership Application is on the above website page.

  • Committee Member Expectations

  • Committees will meet at least four times per year in the Harrisburg region. Committee members are expected to physically attend at least three of these meetings annually. Members without state/agency funding may request travel cost reimbursement through OMHSAS.

  • Committee members are expected to read and respond to e-mailed requests from Committee Co-Chairs in a timely fashion.

  • Committee members are expected to represent their broader constituency — not only themselves or their own family member(s)/ organization(s) — in their committee's work.

  • Members must have the ability to communicate with those they are representing to bring their concerns to the committee and to report back on the outcomes of the committee's work.

  • Committee members should have the time and ability to participate in additional workgroups throughout the year on an as-needed basis.

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