Howard County ​Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board Seeks Volunteers

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Volunteers interested in serving on Howard County's Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board should apply by May 5. The board seeks to fill several existing vacancies held by individuals with lived experience in mental health services or substance use disorder services.

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be Howard County residents, 18 years of age or older, have an interest in behavioral health and be able to attend the board’s meetings, held virtually the second Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m.

“Our Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board plays a vital role in monitoring and improving behavioral health outcomes for members of our community,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “If you share our goal of expanding behavioral health resources and strengthening our system of care, I encourage you to apply to serve on the board as we work to ensure that behavioral health wellness is accessible for all who live, work and grow in our community.”

Board members are responsible for the behavioral health interests of the people residing in Howard County. Comprised of 28 members, the board must include 18 appointment members: seven consumers, seven family members, two professional/provider/advocates and two at-large. The final 10 members are ex-officio and represent the department of social services, public defender’s office, department of community resources and services, state attorney’s office, department of corrections, police department, Circuit Court of Howard County, department of juvenile services, parole and probation, and the Howard County Public School System.

Interested applicants should email Paul Thompson at ApplyBC@howardcountymd.gov with “Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board” in the subject line and their home address and contact information in the body of the email. Included with the email, applicants should attach their resume and a brief letter explaining why they want to serve on the board. Applicants are asked not to include their contact information including home address, phone number(s) and email address, on their resume and cover letter. The names of eligible applicants will be submitted to the county executive for consideration. If approved, the appointment will be forwarded to the County Council for confirmation.