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Developing a community board for a mental health center
Hospital & Community Psychiatry
|April 1, 1979
Summary
Community mental health centers use governing boards with residents to ensure services meet needs. Sound View-Throgs Neck established local and central boards, fostering partnership between residents and staff for shared decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
- Community Engagement
Background:
- Federally funded community mental health centers require governing boards composed of community residents.
- These boards ensure mental health services align with community needs and priorities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the structure and function of a community governing board at a federally funded mental health center.
- To explore the dynamics of partnership between community board members and center staff.
Main Methods:
- Development of three local advisory boards representing distinct subcatchment areas.
- Formation of a central community board with representatives from local boards.
- Establishment of standing committees mirroring the center's organizational structure.
Main Results:
- The central board comprised 12 members, with four representatives from each local advisory board.
- Board members and center staff engaged in regular meetings.
- A collaborative partnership evolved, characterized by shared power, privileges, and knowledge.
Conclusions:
- The model successfully integrated community residents into the governance of mental health services.
- Effective community governance requires a partnership approach, emphasizing shared decision-making between residents and staff.