Helpful MHSA Advisory Council Meeting Information
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MHSA Orientation: Please contact MHSA staff directly for questions and materials.
Instructions for public comment and stakeholder input: MHSA Advisory Council welcomes and encourages public participation in its
meetings. This time is reserved for members of the public to address topics that are on the agenda. Guests are asked to make their
comments brief and may be asked not to exceed two minutes. For agenda items, public comment will be invited at the time those items are
addressed. Each interested party is to indicate their interest at the request of the facilitator upon conclusion of Committee discussion of
each item. Time is allotted on the agenda for public comment on matters that do not pertain to a specific agenda item.
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If a reasonable accommodation is needed due to a special need in order to participate in this meeting, please contact Audrey Montana
at (925) 313-9525 or audrey.montana@cchealth.org.
Any disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and distributed by the staff to a majority
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of the members of MHSA Advisory Council less than 96 hours prior to that meeting are available for public inspection at 1340 Arnold
Drive, Suite 200, Martinez during normal business hours.
Working Agreement
The counsel and advice of all participants is highly valued in planning and evaluating Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funded
programs and services. To provide a space for all voices to be expressed in a productive, safe and respectful environment, the following
governance agreements have been adopted:
1. Come prepared to discuss the published agenda items and handouts.
2. We are committed to starting and finishing on time. Please help by being on time, speaking to the topic at hand and returning from
breaks on time.
3. Turn your cell phone ringers off; take any calls outside and away from the entrance.
4. Avoid providing any distractions, such as side bar conversations.
5. Wait to be recognized before speaking and keep your comments brief.
6. Please identify to the group your perspective, affiliation or potential conflict of interest if you are participating in discussions that lead
to group positions or recommendations.
7. When internal group decisions need to be made, such as MHSA Advisory Council or sub-committee governance issues, members will
attempt to reach consensus, or, if necessary, decide by a simple majority. For a group position or recommendation made through the
MHSA Advisory Council to Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services, participants may be asked if they support, do not support, or do not
wish to take a position. The number of MHSA Advisory Council members and non-members in each response category should be
reported.
8. It is okay to disagree politely and respectfully, as different perspectives are welcomed and encouraged.
9. Please refrain from criticizing in a negative manner a specific person or agency during the meeting and in group communications.
Outside of the meeting please speak to the staff supporting the meeting for assistance in having your concerns heard and addressed through
the appropriate channels.
10. An individual may be asked to leave should they behave in a manner that threatens the safety of our group members or does not honor
the terms of this working agreement.
