Contact: Kathy Zieger, 240-777-2528
For Immediate Release: October 22, 2001

Duncan Seeks Applicants For Mental
Health Advisory Committee

County Executive Douglas M. Duncan is seeking applicants to fill seven vacancies on the Montgomery County Mental Health Advisory Committee. There is one vacancy in each of the following categories: a parent or other relative of children or adolescents with emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders; a parent or other relative of an adult with an emotional, behavioral, or mental disorder; a practicing physician in Montgomery County; a member of the clergy; a member of the legal profession; and two vacancies for individuals who are currently receiving or in the past have received mental health services.

Committee functions mandated by state law include: monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the allocation and adequacy of publicly-funded mental health services within the County through means such as conducting or participating in site visits; determining the needs of the County mental health system, including quality of services, gaps in the system, and interagency coordination; participating in the development of a local mental health plan and local mental health budget; preparing and disseminating an annual report to state and county officials; and reviewing and commenting on the annual mental health plan and preliminary budget of the Department of Health and Human Services as it relates to mental health services. Voting members serve without compensation for three-year terms and meet the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in Rockville. They will be expected to serve on a subcommittee and should anticipate a time commitment of five to ten hours per month.

Applicants should write by November 16 to County Executive Douglas M. Duncan at the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe St., Rockville, MD 20850. A brief resume, including home and work phone numbers, should be enclosed. Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time.

Duncan’s appointments are subject to confirmation by the County Council. Applications of those selected for appointment are made public as part of the confirmation process.