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In February 1990, by Executive Order, and pursuant to Public Law 102-321, the Idaho State Planning Council on Mental Health was established. The council’s responsibilities are (Idaho Code 39-3125):
- To serve as an advocate for adults with a severe mental illness and for children and youth with serious emotional disturbance.
- To advise the State Mental Health Authority on issues of concern, policies and programs, and provide guidance in the development and implementation of the State Mental Health Systems Plan.
- To monitor and evaluate the allocation and adequacy of mental health services within the state at least once a year by presenting to the Governor, by June 30 of each year, a report on the Council’s achievements and its impact on the quality of life for mental health services consumers and their families.
- To advocate for individuals with severe mental illness or serious emotional disturbance to have access to treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation services; including those services that go beyond the traditional mental health system.
- To serve as a vehicle for intra- and inter-agency policy and program development.
Vision
Severe mental illness and serious emotional disturbance are increasingly treatable with excellent prospects for rehabilitation. Treatment of mental illness is cost effective because it restores productivity, reduces utilization of services, and lessens social dependence and family disruption. The Council envisions a mental health system, which exists primarily to ensure the dignity and improve the lives of adults with severe mental illness and children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral disturbance, based on the following principals:
- Recognizes the responsibility of all Idahoans to reduce the stigma and promote the recognition, understanding, prevention, early intervention, and treatment of persons affected by mental illness.
- Emphasizes a coordinated service approach, including public/private partnerships, by establishing comprehensive community-based system of care emphasizing natural support of families and peers, culturally competent and serving diverse populations, and including the decriminalization of mental illness.
- Is the highest quality, with the right to individualized services that are acceptable and accountable to consumers and others, with fairness and parity in insurance coverage.
- Supports the concept of recovery through development of self-help skills and the availability of meaningful and appropriate employment.
- Is respectful of and promotes the rights and responsibilities of consumers and families to participate in decision-making at all levels.
- Is accessible to all, including those living in rural and frontier areas.
View our Membership
Membership includes representation from consumers and family members from around the state, regional Department of Health and Welfare mental health advisory boards, principal state agencies with respect to mental health, education, Vocational Rehabilitation, law enforcement, Medicaid, public and private entities concerned with need, planning, operation, funding and use of mental health services and related support services, including Legal Aid, housing agencies, NAMI-Idaho, MHAI, Comprehensive Advocacy (CO-AD), and the Idaho Federation of Families.
Read our Bylaws
The State Planning Council on Mental Health’s bylaws dictate the procedures and operating standards the Council follows. The bylaws outline the Council’s responsibilities, membership, officers, meetings, policies, and parliamentary authority.
Learn more about:
The Evolution of Federal Mental Health Planning Legislation