The duties and functions of the Governing Commission of an Expanded Mental Health Services Program shall include the following:
(1)To, immediately after appointment, meet and organize, by the election of one of its number as president and one as secretary and such other officers as it may deem necessary. It shall establish policies, rules, regulations, bylaws, and procedures for both the Governing Commission and the Program concerning the rendition or operation of services and facilities which it directs, supervises, or funds, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act. No policies, rules, regulations, or bylaws shall be adopted by the Governing Commission without prior notice to the residents of the territory of a Program and an opportunity for such residents to be heard.
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The duties and functions of the Governing Commission of an Expanded Mental Health Services Program shall include the following: (1) To, immediately after appointment, meet and organize, by the election of one of its number as president and one as secretary and such other officers as it may deem necessary. It shall establish policies, rules, regulations, bylaws, and procedures for both the Governing Commission and the Program concerning the rendition or operation of services and facilities which it directs, supervises, or funds, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act. No policies, rules, regulations, or bylaws shall be adopted by the Governing Commission without prior notice to the residents of the territory of a Program and an opportunity for such residents to be heard. (2) To hold meetings at least quarterly, and to hold special meetings upon a written request signed by at least 2 commissioners and filed with the secretary of the Governing Commission. (3) To provide annual status reports on the Program to the Governor, the Mayor of the municipality, and the voters of the territory within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year, such report to show the condition of the expanded mental health services fund for that year, the sums of money received from all sources, how all monies have been expended and for what purposes, how the Program has conformed with the mental health needs assessment conducted in the territory, and such other statistics and Program information in regard to the work of the Governing Commission as it may deem of general interest. (4) To manage, administer, and invest the financial resources contained in the expanded mental health services fund. (5) To employ necessary personnel, acquire necessary office space, enter into contractual relationships, and disburse funds in accordance with the provisions of this Act. In this regard, to the extent the Governing Commission chooses to retain the services of another public or private agency with respect to the provision of expanded mental health services under this Act, such selection shall be based upon receipt of a comprehensive plan addressing the following factors: the conducting of a thorough mental health needs assessment for the territory; the development of specific mental health programs and services tailored to this assessment; and the percentage of the proposed budget devoted to responding to these demonstrated needs. Within 14 days of the selection of any individual or organization, the Governing Commission shall provide a written report of its decision, with specific reference to the factors used in reaching its decision, to the Mayor of the municipality, the Governor, and the voters of the territory. Subsequent decisions by the Governing Commission to retain or terminate the services of a provider shall be based upon the provider's success in achieving its stated goals, especially with regards to servicing the maximum number of residents of the territory identified as needing mental health services in the initial needs assessment and subsequent updates to it. (6) To disburse the funds collected annually from tax revenue in such a way that no less than 85% of those funds are expended on direct mental and emotional health services provided by licensed mental health professionals or by mental health interns or persons with a bachelor's degree in social work supervised by those professionals. (7) To establish criteria and standards necessary for hiring the licensed mental health professionals to be employed to provide the direct services of the Program. (8) To identify the mental and emotional health needs within the Program territory and determine the programs for meeting those needs annually as well as the eligible persons whom the Program may serve. (9) To obtain errors and omissions insurance for all commissioners in an amount of no less than $1,000,000. (10) To perform such other functions in connection with the Program and the expanded mental health services fund as required under this Act.