Consumer & Family Voice

Persons in recovery and their supporters, such as family & friends, have a unique perspective on what barriers exist to entering and engaging actively in treatment services and what kind of other community supports are needed for individuals to be able to reach their full potential while managing their mental illness.

That’s why it is important for persons in recovery & their supporters to become educated about the issues that affect treatment & support services for people with mental illness and lend their voice and perspective to how the system can improve to better serve individuals and support their recovery journey.

The following meetings are meetings where persons in recovery and family members/supporters can have an input into the development of community treatment and supports for persons with mental illness.

 

Housing Continuum of Care of Bucks County – (HCoC-BC)

The purpose of the HCoC-BC is to provide a single, coordinated, inclusive homelessness assistance system that works toward preventing and ending homelessness within the Bucks County service area.  The HCoC-BC is comprised of four standing committees four ad-hoc committees.  The standing committees are: Executive Committee, Outcomes Committee, Funding Committee, Strategic Planning Committee.  the Ad Hoc Committees are: Data Management, Housing Link Task Force, Soar Leadership, Local Housing Options Team.

Meetings: November 19th , 2015  2pm – Neshaminy Manor Center, 1260 Almshouse Road, Doylestown, PA 18901 in the Almshouse Bldg, 4th floor . For info contact Deb Neidhart, Secretary at 267-342-3372 or dpneidhardt@gmail.com

 

LHOT – Local Housing Options Team – 3rd Tuesday every  month – next Meeting is Tues Nov  17th, 2015 at 9:30 AM – Location – 600 Louis Drive, Warminster PA 18974. For info contact Joyce Schug at 215-444-2873 or jmschug@co.bucks.pa.us.

LHOT is a committee of the BC Housing Continuum of Care .  The LHOT brings together representatives of organizations serving individuals with special needs, especially those with behavioral health challenges and those with multiple special needs.  The LHOT prioritizes housing needs in the County and serves in an advisory role in the creation of the Bucks County’s Mental Health Housing Plan.  The LHOT also provides input on housing related Medical Assistance Reinvestment Plans and is a sub-committee of the Bucks County Housing Continuum of Care

 

 

Suicide Task Force – meets quarterly on the third Thursday at 3 PM – next one is April 16th, 2015 at 3PM, dates for 2015 are January 15th, April 16th, July 16th, October 15th.  Location to be determined, call Wendy Flanigan at County Dept of MH closer to meeting date to find out location – 215-444-2882.

 

The Bucks County Housing Advisory Board (HAB). HAB is responsible for the creation of a strategic plan to ensure the housing stability of Bucks County residents experiencing homelessness, at most risk of becoming homeless, or who are challenged by housing affordability and options. The strategic plan will include recommendations for: 1) transforming the County’s housing crisis response system, 2) delivering consumer-driven and appropriate services and supports to maintain permanent housing stability, 3) strengthening coordination, efficiency and effectiveness across systems, sectors and programs, and 4) expanding housing opportunities throughout Bucks County. 

Get more information on the activities of the HAB and find out when the next meeting is by going to the website:  Bucks County Housing Advisory Board

 

OMHSAS Planning Council Meetings:  

The PA Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) Planning Council meetings occur 4 times per year.  They are open to the public; individuals have an opportunity to provide feedback during an open comment portion of the full meeting and the subcommittee meetings. Some Planning Council meetings are a full committee meeting for the whole day, some are subcommittee meetings for the whole day and some meetings are divided between full committee meetings and subcommittee meetings.

Next Meeting: Thursday, December 10th, 2015 from 10 AM to 3 PM. Meeting held at the Child Welfare Resource Center located at: 403 East Winding Hill Road, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17055. NOTE: There is lots of free parking, however it is difficult to get to the Child Welfare Resource Center from train or bus station – you can get a taxi @ $35 each way.

Individuals living in recovery, family members and mental health professionals who are interested in serving on the Planning Council can submit their resume/ curriculum vitae along with a letter describing your interest in serving on the Council.  All requests are kept on file for when openings occur on the Planning Council.  Send letters of interest to Deputy Secretary Dennis Marion at:

OMHSAS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Administrative Building, DGS Annex Complex                                                                                                                                                                       P.O. Box 2675                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Harrisburg, PA 17105

 

Questions / More Info Call: 1-717-787-6443

For more info on the planning council mission and goals:
www.dpw.state.pa.us/communitypartners/informationforadvocatesandstakeholders/advisorycommittees/mentalhealthplanningcouncil/index.htm