There is a separate State Program Standing Committee (SPSC) for each population served by the Department of Mental Health (DMH): 1) Children, Youth, and Families and 2) Adults. The SPSCs advise DMH on issues important to each population. Both of the Standing Committees have responsibilities that are described in section three of the Administrative Rules on Agency Designation, (revised June 1, 2003). In their words, the committees describe their abilities as:
- We evaluate the quality and responsiveness of mental health services statewide by reviewing the designated mental health agencies (e.g. Howard Center, Clara Martin Center, United Counseling Service, Inc. etc.).
- We assist in hiring key DMH management.
- We provide input regarding DMH policies and the state system of care plan.
- We review aggregate data on grievances and appeals to look for trends in frequency or topic and make recommendations for changes to the system.
The Commissioner and DMH staff give the committee insight into the latest developments in Vermont. The committee is also a voice of the community to the Department of Mental Health and Vermont policy makers. Moreover, the Standing Committee often hears from a broad spectrum of people in the field of mental health and it on the cutting edge of news and developments in Vermont.
The SPSC for Children, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health is seeking new members! View a flyer with more information.
We strongly encourage interested persons attend at least two meetings before applying. If the prospective member and the Committee then agree to move forward, the Committee votes to recommend appointing the candidate to the Committee.
The SPSC for Adult Mental Health meets monthly. For exact dates of upcoming meetings, refer to the DMH calendar https://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/calendar, as meetings dates can change based on state holiday schedules.
The SPSC for Children, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health meets monthly, with some variation for holiday schedules (August, November, December). For exact dates of upcoming meetings, refer to the DMH calendar https://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/calendar.
All meetings are open to the public. Call in options are also available for each meeting.
Members are reimbursed for mileage and may also receive a stipend for every meeting attended if they are not otherwise reimbursed.
Click the Adult or Children, Adolescent, and Family icons below to see the next meeting agenda and meeting minutes for the previous year.
To learn more about becoming a member of or attending either State Program Standing Committee meeting contact the Department of Mental Health at (802) 241-0090, or email the Quality Team directly at Lauren.Welch@vermont.gov (Adults) or Puja.Senning@vermont.gov (Children, Adolescent, and Families).
State Program Standing Committee Operating Guidelines (December 2019)
Expectations for Local Program Standing Committees (October 2021)