Disability Rights Washington (DRW) is Washington State’s federally mandated Protection and Advocacy System for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) [1]. The federal mandate requires the establishment of an advisory council called the Mental Health Advisory Council (MHAC). MHAC advises DRW on priorities and issues important to people receiving mental health services in the state while upholding the organization’s mission. MHAC is actively seeking members who understand or want to learn alongside us about disability justice [2] to help us keep growing and cultivating our work!
What does the MHAC do?
- Receives updates on and advises DRW on PAIMI advocacy work ranging from systemic litigation, investigations, and other systemic advocacy.
- Plans and facilitates listening sessions to solicit feedback from those furthest from privilege and most in need of PAIMI services,
- Meets as a full group four times a year, and in smaller committees in between the full council meetings,
- Writes and submits the Annual Council Report describing activities and accomplishments throughout the year.
What are the benefits of serving on the council?
- Strengthen your voice and share your lived experience to craft DRW’s priorities.
- Expand your understanding of behavioral health issues and learn alongside staff about Disability Justice.
- Work directly with DRW’s constituents and support them in using their voice.
- Make connections and build relationships with advocates from different backgrounds and different lived experiences.
- Help spread awareness about resources for individuals with behavioral health disabilities in your community.
Who serves on the MHAC?
The PAIMI Advisory Council seeks members from all areas of Washington from communities of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, justice-involved individuals, survivors of institutionalization, and other underrepresented communities. Council terms are staggered with a maximum of four years possible.
Eligibility criteria
- Must be a resident of Washington State.
- Cannot have family members or partners currently on the council.
- Must sign a conflict of interest agreement and attestation to understanding the operating standards.
- Members must be available for all four meetings
Council Composition
As required by the federal government, the MHAC must maintain the following composition:
- Must have at least seven council members at all times
- At least 60% of the PAIMI Advisory Council members must be current/former recipients of mental health services or family members.
- The MHAC must be chaired by a person who is a current/former recipient of mental health services or a family member.
- The MHAC is required to have at least one parent of a minor child who has received mental health services.
What is the time commitment?
The MHAC meets four times a year on the first Saturday of February, May, August, and November. Members are actively engaged in activities between meetings with a time commitment ranging between 4 to 10 hours per month with the opportunity to receive a stipend.
Meetings happen online and are open to the public with the opportunity to provide public comment. If you are interested in attending or providing public comment, please email us at info@dr-wa.org [3] or call us at (206) 324-1521 or toll free at (800) 562-2702. Language interpreters are available upon request. Please use 711 for Washington Relay Service (TTY).
Apply Today!
The advisory council accepts applications on a rolling basis and reviews applications as there are vacancies. For more information or to sit in on a meeting contact us at info@dr-wa.org [3] and apply to the council here. [4]
We are currently recruiting for:
- Individuals who are recipients/former recipients of mental health services
- Family members of individuals who are recipients/former recipients of mental health services
- Family members of a minor child or youth (under 18 years old) who has received or is receiving mental health services
All applications will be held for one year from their time of submission.