PLACERVILLE, Calif. — The El Dorado County Behavioral Health Commission is seeking to fill four vacant positions. Commissioners will serve three-year terms and represent both the West Slope and South Lake Tahoe regions.
The Behavioral Health Commission operates under the authority granted by California Welfare and Institutions Code § 5604. Its role is to review and evaluate behavioral health needs, services, facilities, and emerging challenges in the county, spanning both mental health and substance use disorder services for children and adults. The commission advises the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and the Behavioral Health Director on local behavioral health policy, planning, and service delivery.
Justine Collinsworth, the county’s Behavioral Health Director, emphasized the importance of diverse perspectives in the commission’s membership:
“We’re specifically looking for people who are family members of consumers of adult or children’s behavioral health services in El Dorado County,” Collinsworth said. “Community members with lived experience, professional expertise, or a strong interest in behavioral health are encouraged to apply, especially those who can help represent all corners of our County to advise the Board of Supervisors.”
The commission meets monthly on the third Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors chambers at 330 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA. Applicants or interested parties may contact the Clerk of the Board at edc.cob@edcgov.us or by phone at (530) 621-5390. Questions may also be directed to Jim Abram, Behavioral Health Commission Chair, at jimabram@comcast.net or (530) 306-3897.
Under its proposed bylaws, the commission will consist of 11 regular members (one of whom is a Board of Supervisors member) with staggered terms and requirements to reflect demographic diversity. Membership includes eligibility criteria to avoid conflicts of interest, e.g., no full- or part-time county behavioral health employees may serve. Importantly, 50 percent of the commission must be “consumers or immediate family of consumers” (i.e., individuals who have received behavioral health services), with additional quotas for younger members and family representatives.
As part of its duties, the commission will conduct public hearings on the county’s draft behavioral health plan and updates, review county agreements under WIC 5650, and submit an annual report to the Board of Supervisors on system performance.
The county encourages applicants from across all regions, including rural, mountain, and Lake Tahoe communities, to ensure broad representation. Interested individuals should submit their applications and resumes via the Clerk’s office or reach out to Chair Abram by [deadline date if available].
