We encourage anyone interested in services for people with mental illness and substance-use disorders to attend the Mississippi Joint Planning and Advisory Council virtually or in person at Mississippi State Hospital (3550 Hwy. 468 W. Bldg. 56 Whitfield MS. 39208) on May 11 from 10 a.m. to noon.
In addition to other agenda items, the council will discuss the initial results of the community feedback survey about mental health and substance use services and how the Department of Mental Health should use this feedback to guide its block grant spending.
All fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and six Pacific jurisdictions receive Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) funds to provide community mental health services. The federal government distributes these funds to help adults with serious mental illnesses, children with severe emotional disturbances and children, youth and adults with substance use disorders.
The federal government requires states to establish councils comprised of people who use services, their families and other interested people. Those councils help decide how to use these funds to help adults and children with mental illness and substance use disorders. The council gets feedback from the community to help make its decisions. Mississippi’s council meets this Thursday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to noon at Mississippi State Hospital. You can attend the meeting in person or virtually. Here is the link to join the meeting virtually.
Here is the full agenda for the meeting. Please note that there is time for public comments.
1. Welcome and Meeting Overview
Dr. Scott Willoughby, Council Co-Chair
Tiffany Tine, Council Co-Chair
2. Council Introductions
3. Department of Mental Health Budget Update
Kelly Breland, Bureau of Administration Director, DMH
4. Legislative Update
Adam Moore, Director of Planning and Communications, DMH
5. Peer Bridger Presentation
Jeremy Reid, Peer Bridger
Angie Mitchell, Certified Peer Support Specialist
Bria Tucker, Peer Bridger Coordinator
6. Results of Vote on Bylaws
Tiffany Tine, Council Co-Chair
Dr. Scott Willoughby, Council Co-Chair
7. Block Grant Overview
Dr. Mallory Malkin, Chief Clinical Officer, Bureau of Behavior Health Services, DMH
8. Community Feedback Survey – Demographics Overview
Dr. Mallory Malkin, Chief Clinical Officer, Bureau of Behavior Health Services, DMH
9. Community Feedback Survey – Needs Overview
Dr. Joy Hogge, Executive Director, Mississippi Families as Allies
10. Implications for Block Grant Spending Based on Survey Feedback
Dr. Scott Willoughby, Council Co-Chair
Tiffany Tine, Council Co-Chair
11. Wrap Up/Propose Future Topics
12. Public Comments
13. Announcements
14. Adjournment
