HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHAB Bylaws - Revised
To: Board of County Commissioners
From: DeAnn Carr, Behavioral Health Deputy Director – Health Services
Date: October 30, 2014
Subj: Approval of Revised Behavioral Health Advisory Board Bylaws
The Executive Committee of the Behavioral Health Advisory Board (BHAB) has worked together to revised the BHAB
Bylaws due to the previous version being out of date and no longer reflecting current OAR, Statutes, or vision.
Changes made include:
Updating Oregon Administrative Rules cited
Updating Oregon State Statutes cited
Drawing from the Public Health Advisory Board Bylaws where their narrative represented clearer and/or more
complete language
Updated structural language to reflect a more current vision for functioning within the era of Healthcare
transformation
Added “family members” to the list of non-service provider members to strengthen the voice of consumers and
families on the BHAB
The Executive Committee is requesting that the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners adopt these revised Bylaws.
BHAB Bylaws - Page 1 of 7 Revised: 10/13/14
DESCHUTES COUNTY
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD
Mission Statement:
To enhance the lives of citizens through the delivery of high-quality and integrated client-
centered services that will enable those served to strengthen their lives and roles in the
community.
BYLAWS
Article I
NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Deschutes County Behavioral Health Advisory
Board ("the Advisory Board"). The Advisory Board shall carry out and follow the standards,
responsibilities, duties, and functions of the following mandated boards and committees:
(1) The Community Mental Health and Developmental Disability Advisory
Committee, as mandated by Oregon Administrative Rule 309-014-0020 (3) a-
b and
(2) The Local Alcohol and Drug Planning Committee, as mandated by Oregon
Revised Statues 430.342, and 430.350; OAR 415-012; and by Deschutes
County Code Chapter 2.40.010
Article II
APPOINTMENT
The Board of County Commissioners ("the Commissioners") shall appoint members to the
Advisory Board.
Article III
PURPOSE
The Advisory Board is established to advise the Local Mental Health Authority and
Community Mental Health and Developmental Disability Program Director on community
needs (concerning addictions, mental health, and developmental disabilities) and priorities
for services and shall assist in planning and in review and evaluation of services.
BHAB Bylaws - Page 2 of 7 Revised: 10/13/14
Article IV
FUNCTIONS
The Advisory Board shall address the needs of Deschutes County citizens in the areas of
Addictions, Mental Health, and Developmental Disabilities.
Specifically, the Advisory Board shall advise the Local Mental Health Authority and
Community Mental Health and Developmental Disability Program Director:
A. In identifying needs and priorities for mental health, addictions, and developmental
disabilities;
B. In working with consumers and family members in the development, operation and
evaluation of its services;
C. Regarding the development of high-quality integrated services;
D. Regarding promotion, advocacy, and enhancement of community awareness of and
support for mental health, addiction, and developmental disability issues and needs
specific to Deschutes County;
E. Regarding priorities that impact the Department's operating budget, financial plan and
key grants. Advise the Department, the Commissioners and the County
Administrator regarding financial needs and priorities;
F. On all applications for new alcohol and drug treatment programs in Deschutes County
(A provider seeking to start new alcohol and drug treatment services must provide
application material to the Advisory Board for review and comment); and
G. On Deschutes County service development planning.
Additionally, the Advisory Board shall:
A. Participate in periodic program reviews and site visits by State agencies.
B. Annually review the Department's Strategic Plan and determine the Advisory Board's
focus based on the Strategic Plan.
Article V
MEETINGS
Section I: Regular Meetings: Board meetings will be held, at minimum, once per
calendar quarter. The Board Chairperson, in consultation with the Department
Director, may call other meetings as necessary. Meetings will be held in a
conference room accessible to Board members and the general public.
BHAB Bylaws - Page 3 of 7 Revised: 10/13/14
Section II: Special Meetings or Work Sessions: Special meetings or work sessions may
be called by the Advisory Board Chairperson. Public law requires that
members of the Advisory Board and the press receive written or verbal notice
at least 24 hours prior to holding such a meeting.
Section III: Quorum: A majority of the Board members, including those in actual
attendance as well as those attending by proxy, shall constitute a quorum
necessary for the transaction of any and all business of the Board.
Section IV: Voting: Each Advisory Board member shall have one vote. Any matter
coming before the Board shall be decided by a majority of voting members,
either physically/telephonically present or by proxy. The Chairperson shall
refrain from voting except to break a tie. Proxy voting is permitted upon any
issue which has been included in the notice of meeting. Proxy votes can only
be given to another voting member. Members who are physically present are
limited to not more than one absent member’s proxy, in addition to their own
vote. Members who choose to vote by proxy shall notify the Advisory Board
chair or Advisory Board secretary via email prior to the meeting. Such votes
will be documented in meeting minutes. If the matter is not voted on at the
meeting for which it was noticed, then all proxies for such matter shall be
deemed to have expired.
Section V: Staffing: Staff for recording the minutes of the Advisory Board shall be
provided by the Department.
Section VI: Meeting Notice: All members shall be given notice of time, date, location,
and agenda of the meetings via e-mail at least seven (7) days before a regular
Advisory Board meeting. This notice shall be mailed by regular postal to
members who have no access to e-mail
Notice will be provided for other members of the public who have requested in
writing that they be given copies of official meeting notices. Meetings are
public, where deliberations of the Advisory Board will take place, and
opportunities for public comment will be provided.
Section VII: Minutes: Staff shall keep minutes of the Advisory Board meetings, including,
without limitation, a recording of all motions and subsequent actions. In
addition, all conflicts of interest shall be noted.
Section VIII: Agenda: The Chairperson, with the assistance of the Mental Health Director
or his/her designee, shall prepare the agenda of items requiring Advisory
Board consideration or action and shall add items of business as may be
requested by individual Advisory Board members and/or the Commissioners
or County Administrator.
BHAB Bylaws - Page 4 of 7 Revised: 10/13/14
Article VI
MEMBERSHIP
Section I. Qualifications and Representation:
1. The membership of the Advisory Board shall be broadly representative of the
community, with a balance of age, sex, ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic,
professional and consumer interests represented. Membership shall include
advocates for persons with mental or emotional disturbances, drug abuse
problems, mental retardation or other developmental disabilities, and alcoholism
and alcohol abuse problems;
2. The Advisory Board may invite and appoint ex officio members as needed to
assist in the performance of its duties. These ex officio appointments shall be
made by the Chairperson in consultation with the Community Mental Health
and Developmental Disability Program Director.
3. The Board shall be composed of at least nine (9) and not more than fifteen
(15) individuals. These persons shall be qualified by interest, training, or
experience to review and make recommendations. A minimum of three (3)
members shall be consumers, family members, and/or lay citizens.
Section II. Nominations:
1. The Advisory Board shall make nominations for membership on the Advisory
Board to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners for approval and
appointment. Nomination recommendations shall be made jointly by the
Advisory Board Chairperson and the Director of the Department.
Section III. Ex-Officio Members:
In addition to the appointed Advisory Board members, the Deschutes County
Board of Commissioners shall appoint, from among themselves, one member
to serve as a liaison to the Advisory Board who is expected but not required to
attend at least two (2) Advisory Board meetings each calendar year.
Additionally, the Director of the Health Service Department and the Deputy
Director will be EX-officio members of the Board. Ex-officio members do not
have voting rights. The Board may appoint other Ex-officio members as
appropriate.
Section IV: Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Advisory Board members shall endeavor to attend all meetings. If a member
is unable to attend a meeting, the member will notify the Department prior to
the meeting. Participation in meetings is essential, and the Chairperson shall
contact any member whose attendance has become a concern. Three (3)
consecutive unexcused absences shall constitute grounds for removal.
BHAB Bylaws - Page 5 of 7 Revised: 10/13/14
2. Members shall carry out the mission, purpose and functions of the Advisory
Board.
3. Advisory Board members shall serve as volunteers. With prior approval by
the Director, members may be reimbursed for extraordinary expenses related
to Advisory Board service.
4. Any member may be removed whenever the best interests of the Health
Services Department or the Board will be served. The member whose removal
is place in issue shall be given prior notice of his/her proposed removal and
reasonable opportunity to appear and be heard at a meeting of the Board. A
member may be removed pursuant to this section by not less than two-thirds
(2/3) of the total number of members then serving on the Board, or by
majority vote of the Board of County Commissioners.
Grounds for removal from the Board include without limitation, taking a
position that is in conflict with the mission of the Board and/or Health
Services Department.
Section V. Nominations and Terms of Office:
1. Unless extended pursuant to Article VII.2, the membership term shall be three
(3) years. The term of any member appointed mid-year shall expire
December 31 of the third full year of service. After a member finishes his/her
initial term, they may apply for nomination for a second term. Members may
serve two (2) successive terms if re-appointed by the Commissioners.
A member appointed to serve the unexpired term of another member shall
begin their membership on the first day of the month immediately following
the date it is approved.
2. Terms begin on January 1 and end December 31. The selection process shall
be staggered, with approximately one-third of the members' terms expiring
each year.
3. A vacancy occurs when a Board member’s term expires, or when a Board
member moves of the service area, dies, resigns, or is removed from the
Board. When a vacancy occurs on the Board, the nominating committee shall
select a replacement to complete the unexpired term, if term is incomplete,
and recommend appointment of such replacement to the Board by the Board
of County Commissioners.
BHAB Bylaws - Page 6 of 7 Revised: 10/13/14
Article VII
OFFICERS
1. Officers of the Advisory Board shall consist of the Chairperson and the Vice
Chairperson.
2. Officers shall be elected from the Advisory Board membership during the
final regular meeting of the calendar year by a vote of the members and shall
serve for one (1) year. Terms may be renewed for an additional year upon
consent of the Board and acceptance of the nominee. Officer terms may
exceed membership terms, in which case an extension of member term may
be granted. Continuity is desired; an officer may serve two consecutive terms
if elected.
3. Officers shall work to ensure that the Advisory Board addresses a balanced
slate of agenda items covering all responsibilities of the Department.
4. Duties of the officers are as follows:
a) Chairperson shall:
1) Set the agenda with Director's assistance.
2) Conduct the meeting in accordance with Robert's Rules of
Order and Oregon's Public Meeting Law.
3) Call special meetings of the Advisory Board as necessary.
4) Sign any instrument which the Advisory Board has authorized
to be executed.
5) Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.
b) Vice Chairperson shall:
1) Assist the Chairperson as needed.
2) Chair the Addictions Committee and report Committee actions
to the full Advisory Board.
3) Serve as the Chairperson in his/her official duties if and so long
as the Chairperson is unable to serve.
4) Be willing to serve as Chairperson if elected.
Article VIII
COMMITTEES
1. Duties of Committees will be to:
a) Provide informational reports and documentation of meetings to the
Advisory Board.
b) Develop recommendations for the Advisory Board.
c) Work on agenda items set by the Advisory Board
BHAB Bylaws - Page 7 of 7 Revised: 10/13/14
2. The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Chairperson and Vice
Chairperson, Health Services Department Director, and Behavioral Health
Deputy Director. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to act on
behalf of the entire Board for matters of routine business but shall report to the
entire Board its actions as reflected in carefully maintained minutes.
4. The Chairperson shall appoint a Membership/Nominating Committee whose
purpose is to receive nominations of Advisory Board officers, and to review
applications for Advisory Board membership and make recommendations to
the Chairperson and Director for appointment.
5. AD-Hoc Committees may be established by the Board as needed and may
consist of additional individuals from the community chosen for their
expertise and knowledge and concern about a specific issue or field of
endeavor. Once an Ad-Hoc Committee has completed all assigned tasks and
reported same to the Board it shall expire.
7. The Advisory Board may use non-Board members, as necessary, to
accomplish its objectives.
Article IX
PUBLIC RECORDS AND MEETING LAW
The Advisory Board is a public body for the purpose of ORS Chapter 192, and is subject to
the statutory procedures related to public records and meetings.
Article X
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
A conflict of interest shall be declared by any member who has a conflict of interest as
defined by Oregon law prior to taking the appropriate action on the matter pursuant to ORS
Chapter 244. Member(s) declaring a conflict of interest may not participate in discussion of
or vote on matters for which the conflict exists. The BHAB Chair has the authority to excuse
the member(s) during discussion and/or voting should the Chair consider their presence to
influence the process and/or outcome.
No Board member shall be an employee of Deschutes Count y Health Services Department or
an immediate family member of an employee. An exception is allowed for individuals who
serve in an on-call, temporary, or limited duration capacity with the Department.
BHAB Bylaws - Page 8 of 7 Revised: 10/13/14
Article XI
AMENDMENTS
Recommendations to amend the bylaws may be made by a majority of the full membership
or Executive Committee. The Commissioners may also amend these Bylaws upon their own
motion. Amendments are ratified by adoption by the Commissioners.
Adopted this _______ day of ________________________ 2014
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
________________________________ Tammy Baney, Chair, Commissioner
________________________________ Anthony DeBone, Vice Chair, Commissioner
________________________________ Alan Unger, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Recording Secretary