| By-laws (text version)
Multi-Ethnic Behavioral Health Services Task Force
ARTICLE I
MISSION STATEMENT
To advocate for the development, implementation and evaluation of
high quality, culturally competent, behavioral health services
(Mental Health Services and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services) capable
of meeting the dynamic and diverse needs of all ethnic groups in
Orange County.
ARTICLE II
PHILOSOPHY
The members of the Task Force believe that persons of all ethnic
backgrounds have a right to receive quality behavioral health
services, regardless of age, creed, gender, sexual orientation or
economic status.
ARTICLE III
VALUES
The members of the Task Force believe in the following values:
Diversity
Increased Communication
Self Awareness
Community Input
Education and Training
Equity
ARTICLE IV
OBJECTIVES
The members of this Task force are committed to:
-
Promoting equitable
distribution of behavioral health services utilizing multi-lingual
and multi-cultural staff.
-
Promoting access to
behavioral health services.
-
Advocating the efficient
use of resources in the behavioral health system.
-
Promoting community
awareness about behavioral health issues.
-
Advancing cultural
competency through participation in joint efforts to improve the
policies and effectiveness of behavioral health services for all
ethnic groups.
-
Promoting research on
behavioral health needs and interventions with culturally diverse
communities.
-
To work towards cultural
competency as defined by a set of congruent practice skills,
attitudes, policies and structures which come together in a
system, agency or among professionals to work effectively with
diverse populations.
ARTICLE V
GOALS
-
To promote the development
of equitable provision and distribution of a variety of treatment
services utilizing multi-lingual, multi-cultural staff.
-
To promote behavioral
health and overcome socio- cultural barriers inhibiting
individuals from seeking and acquiring timely behavioral health
services.
-
To advocate for the
efficient use of existing resources, emphasizing continuity of
care, in the current behavioral health system, as well as
potential behavioral health service providers in the community to
serve the target populations.
-
To advocate for increased
community knowledge of programs by providing input for the
development of policy and behavioral health programs and
maintaining an active and supportive relationship with behavioral
health advisory groups and other decision making bodies at both
the State and local levels.
-
To advocate for the
development of a work force that is reflective of community needs
by appropriate education, recruitment and training efforts and to
foster the professional development of current behavioral health
professionals.
-
To advocate for research in
order to assess the behavioral health care needs of ethnically
diverse communities and study effective therapeutic methodologies
and community interventions.
ARTICLE VI
SUB-COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
The Task Force will have functional sub-committees, which will be
created on an as needed basis. The sub-committees are expected to
respond to and act on various issues and projects that the Task
Force will be involved in and provide the Task Force with an update
and progress of their work. Current sub- committees include the
following; Membership, Legislative Advocacy, and Access, Training
and Research.
ARTICLE VII
MEMBERSHIP POLICY
Members will include representatives from the various County
Behavioral Health Services programs, private practice and community
based agencies, which are involved in providing behavioral health
services. Direct consumers of behavioral health services and/or
interested family members are also eligible for membership. The
following criteria must be met in order to obtain active membership:
Section I. Composition
-
Membership will be
open-ended.
-
Prospective members
will be voted in by a majority vote of active members at their
second consecutive meeting. Each
organization/program may be represented by one or more member/s.
-
Each organization
will have only one vote.
-
Each consumer or
family member, not participating as a member of an
organization/program, will have only one vote.
-
There will be a category
called "honorary members" for individuals who would still like
to participate but are unable to attend meetings on a regular
basis. These "members" will not have a vote.
-
Voting by proxy will be
allowed, which is defined as an active, voting member
authorizing their vote to another member, on Task Force
business, when he/she is unable to attend a scheduled meeting.
Section II. Commitment
-
After joining, member
will agree to participate in a sub-committee.
-
If there are three
consecutive unnotified absences, membership status will revert
to honorary.
Section III. Education of
New Members
-
The Ethnic Services
Coordinator will be responsible for the orientation of new
members.
ARTICLE VIII
INTERACTION OF THE TASK FORCE WITH COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
The Multi-Ethnic Behavioral Health Services Task Force will
establish direct channels of contact with the Director of Behavioral
Health Services, the Mental Health Board, the Alcohol and Drug
Advisory Board and the Ethnic Services Coordinator. The Task Force
will interact closely with the Ethnic Services Coordinator to share
pertinent information and research data regarding the special needs
of the target populations in the community. Such knowledge can then
be expedited through direct channels of contact to the Director of
Behavioral Health Services and the Mental Health Board and Alcohol
and Drug Advisory Board with the intention of aiding their efforts
in meeting the behavioral health needs of the County's diverse
ethnic populations.
ARTICLE IX
OFFICERS
The officers of the Task Force shall consist of a Chairperson and a
Vice-Chairperson, who shall be elected biannually, each on
alternating years. The Chair shall not be a County employee. The
Chair shall appoint a nominating committee to present nominations
for election of new officers at the October monthly meeting. The new
Chair and Vice-Chair shall assume duties in January.
ARTICLE X
MEETINGS
Regular meetings shall be held monthly. The time and place shall be
announced prior to adjournment of the current meeting.
Section I. Special
meetings may be held by giving 48 hours notice of the purpose to
all members.
Section II. 1/3 of the current active members present will serve
as the quorum to conduct business and vote on issues.
ARTICLE XI
ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT
These Bylaws shall become operative upon their approval by a
majority of the membership of the Task Force. Amendments to the
proposed Bylaws may be introduced and voted upon by the task force
at the regular meeting at which the vote on adoption shall be taken,
so long as such amendments are mailed to all members at least one
week in advance of the meeting.
Revised 8/7/02 |
