Make a difference in the lives of Iowans with disabilities!
Disability Rights Iowa will be recruiting new members for our Mental Health Advisory Council for terms starting each April. Apply if you are interested in the opportunity to create change in the lives of Iowans with Mental Health Diagnosis by working with a passionate and committed Board on advancing Disability Rights Iowa’s mission: Advocates for justice. Advances human and legal rights. Protects Iowans with disabilities. The term of a Council member is four years with the option of serving an additional second term of four years. Council members are volunteers and may resign before the end of their term for any reason.
Council member Eligibility:
If you are one or more of the below, consider applying.
- Resident of Iowa
- An individual receiving or who has received mental health services
- A family member of an individual who is receiving or who has received mental health services; including parents of minor children who are or have received services, or
- Community members interested and knowledgeable about the issues and concerns of Iowans who receive mental health services and their families.
Council Member criteria:
The Mental Health Advisory Council will seek to represent the diversity of the mental health community in Iowa and will consider criteria including;
- A sincere awareness of and interest in protecting the legal rights of Iowans receiving mental health services.
- A desire to promote DRI’s mission, vision, and core values statewide.
- Geographic diversity representing all regions of Iowa
- Skills and an interest in areas helpful to DRI, such as a mental health provider, a mental health professional, attorney
- A commitment to participate in efforts to increase DRI’s capacity to complete its mission.
Application Process:
DRI has a short application on its website. The applications received will be reviewed against current Mental Health Advisory Council composition requirements. Applicants that meet current Council composition requirements will be interviewed by a member of the Council. Recommendations will be submitted to the Council for full Council consideration. In the selection process the Council will make decisions based on eligibility and criteria outlined above.
Advisory Council duties:
Council members are responsible for working with the Board of Directors on developing DRI’s Areas of Focus and working policies. Council members also advise the Board and DRI’s Executive Director on an ongoing basis on issues and concerns affecting Iowans with mental health diagnoses and their families.
The Mental Health Advisory Council has no financial responsibilities.
The Mental Health Advisory Council is required to submit an annual report to the agencies federal funding partner for the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness with their assessment of the agencies work for the previous fiscal year.
How many members are on the Advisory Council?
The maximum number of Council members is 9.
What is the time commitment of Advisory Council members?
Council members are expected to attend three meetings a year, two meetings jointly with the Board, one Council only meeting.
