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File #: 24-685    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Memo Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 7/15/2024 Departments: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DISTRICT 5
On agenda: 9/10/2024 Final action:
Title: Recommendation for appointments to the Behavioral Health Commission, each for an initial full term ending September 30, 2027: A) Kristen Kurczak; and B) Laura Gomez.
Sponsors: David J. Canepa, Noelia Corzo
Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority

To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor David J. Canepa, District 5
Supervisor Noelia Corzo, District 2
Subject: Appointments to the Behavioral Health Commission (fka Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery Commission)

RECOMMENDATION:
title
Recommendation for appointments to the Behavioral Health Commission, each for an initial full term ending September 30, 2027:

A) Kristen Kurczak; and

B) Laura Gomez.

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BACKGROUND:
The Behavioral Health Commission reviews and evaluates the County's mental health and substance abuse disorders needs, services, facilities and special problems. The Commission advises the Board of Supervisors and the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Director on any aspect of the local mental health program, reviews and approves procedures used to ensure citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process and submits an annual report to the Board of Supervisors on the needs and performance of the County's mental health system.

The Commission consists of up to 22 members, 19 of whom are appointed by the Board of Supervisors representing family members, consumers/clients, veterans, professionals and interested residents. With respect to the remaining three members, one shall be a member of the Board of Supervisors, and two shall be members of the County's Youth Commission. By State law, at least 50% of the 19 members appointed by the Board must be consumers or family members of consumers of mental health services.

DISCUSSION:
At the recommendation of the reviewing committee of the Behavioral Health Commission, Kristen Kurczak is being recommended to serve representing in a Family member seat and Laura Gomez to serve in a client seat.

Kristen Kurczak Nightingale is Founding Director of Nightingale & Company. She works with governments, charitable entities and businesses to build resilient agricultural and conserva...

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