RD451 - 2008 Annual Executive Summary of the Activity and Work of the State Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services Board - January 1, 2009


Executive Summary:
The State Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services Board is established by § 37.2-200 of the Code of Virginia as a policy board in the executive branch of Virginia government. Citizen board members are appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. Terms are for four years each, except appointments to fill vacancies. Members may be reappointed; however, no member may serve more than two full four-year terms. The Board is authorized to employ a board secretary who is selected by the full Board.

The Board is statutorily required to meet at least quarterly in any calendar year. The Board scheduled five meetings in 2008 to effectively address policy, regulatory, and systems change issues. In order to save on travel expenses, meetings were held closer to Richmond as follows:

January 15, Richmond
April 1, Richmond (includes Annual Volunteer Luncheon)
June 3, Williamsburg
August 17-19, Glen Allen (includes Annual Planning Meeting)
October 7, Burkeville
December 2, Powhatan

Board membership consists of nine non-legislative citizen members. The Board is required to have consumer and family members, one elected local government official, one psychiatrist licensed to practice in Virginia, and four citizens at large. The current membership of the Board meets the statutory criteria and is constituted as follows:

Daniel E. Kames*, Roanoke, Vice-Chair;
Andrew Goddard, Henrico;
Cheryl Ivey Green, Richmond;
Catherine M. Hudgins, Reston;
Ruth G. Jarvis*, Norfolk;
Mary J. McQuown, Chesapeake;
Jennifer M. Little, Cobbs Creek;
Ananda K. Pandurangi, Richmond; and
Kathryn A. Smith, Martinsville.

The current Board membership is of individuals who have been appointed since June 2004, with the last appointments in November 2008. Members currently serving their second terms of office are noted with an asterisk' *.'

[Annual executive summary of the activity and work of the Board may be viewed in its entirety by clicking on the PDF version of the report.]