Utah Behavioral Health Planning Council

Each state is required by federal code §300x–3. State mental health planning council to establish a planning council composed of community members to provide input and feedback on the MHBG application. 

§300x–3. State mental health planning council

(a) In general

A funding agreement for a grant under section 300x of this title is that the State involved will establish and maintain a State mental health planning council in accordance with the conditions described in this section.

(b) Duties

A condition under subsection (a) for a Council is that the duties of the Council are—

(1) to review plans provided to the Council pursuant to section 300x–4(a) of this title by the State involved and to submit to the State any recommendations of the Council for modifications to the plans;

(2) to serve as an advocate for adults with a serious mental illness, children with a severe emotional disturbance, and other individuals with mental illnesses or emotional problems; and

(3) to monitor, review, and evaluate, not less than once each year, the allocation and adequacy of mental health services within the State.

The State Mental Health Planning Council, as required by §300x–3. State mental health planning council, must include representatives from the following:

(1) In general

A condition under subsection (a) for a Council is that the Council be composed of residents of the State, including representatives of—

(A) the principal State agencies with respect to—

(i) mental health, education, vocational rehabilitation, criminal justice, housing, and social services; and

(ii) the development of the plan submitted pursuant to title XIX of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.];

(B) public and private entities concerned with the need, planning, operation, funding, and use of mental health services and related support services;

(C) adults with serious mental illnesses who are receiving (or have received) mental health services; and

(D) the families of such adults or families of children with emotional disturbance.

(2) Certain requirements

A condition under subsection (a) for a Council is that—

(A) with respect to the membership of the Council, the ratio of parents of children with a serious emotional disturbance to other members of the Council is sufficient to provide adequate representation of such children in the deliberations of the Council; and

(B) not less than 50 percent of the members of the Council are individuals who are not State employees or providers of mental health services.

• Chair- Javier Alegre -  Jacky’s Recovery Support Services 
• Co Chair- Jules Martinez - Person with lived experience 
• Dan Braun - Wasatch Pediatrics 
• MaryJo McMillen - Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness (USARA) 
• Sigrid Nolte - Person with lived experience 
• Andrew Riggle - Disability Law Center's public policy advocate

Utah Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Substance Use and Mental Health provides staff support for UBHPAC.