We hope to see you at the Mississippi Joint Planning and Advisory Council on February 8, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Hinds Behavioral Health (3240 Hwy 80 W Jackson, MS, 39209) in the Conference Center. You can enter the conference center from the east side of the building. If you have questions about the meeting or location, contact August Irving at 601-359-6204.
This meeting is an excellent opportunity to learn more about substance use and mental health services in the state and make your voice heard about what you think would most help people. The meeting is in person.
The council comprises people who use mental health and substance use services, their families, community members and people who work in mental health and related systems and agencies across the state. Federal law mandates that every state has a council. The council’s duties are to assess unmet mental health and substance use treatment needs and advise the state mental health system on using its federal block grant funds to meet these needs. Here is more information about the council’s most recent needs assessment.
At this meeting, you will learn more about a needs assessment the Department of Mental Health(DMH) did, the DMH budget, legislative issues, Hinds Behavioral Health services and how you can be involved in planning mental health and substance use services in Mississippi. You can also learn ways to become involved in the council and join committees working on membership and a plan to ensure everyone gets to review and give input into how the state spends its block grant funds. The Mississippi Joint Planning and Advisory Council offers many opportunities to provide feedback and where every voice and perspective is valued.
Please come out on Thursday, February 8, and participate in the meeting. We want to get to know you and hear your ideas. We strongly encourage in-person attendance, but there is also a virtual option if you can’t make it in person. All meetings include time for public comments and announcements.
