(1) The director shall appoint a 12-member state recipient rights advisory committee. The membership of the committee shall be broadly based so as to best represent the varied perspectives of department staff, government officials, attorneys, community mental health services program staff, private providers, recipients, and recipient interest groups. At least 1/3 of the membership of the state recipient rights advisory committee shall be primary consumers or family members, and of that 1/3, at least 2 shall be primary consumers. In appointing members to the advisory committee, the director shall consider the recommendations of the director of the state office of recipient rights and individuals who are members of the recipient rights advisory committee.

(2) The state recipient rights advisory committee shall do all of the following:

(a) Meet at least quarterly, or more frequently as necessary, to carry out its responsibilities.

(b) Maintain a current list of members' names to be made available to individuals upon request.

(c) Maintain a current list of categories represented, to be made available to individuals upon request.

(d) Protect the state office of recipient rights from pressures that could interfere with the impartial, even-handed, and thorough performance of its functions.

(e) Recommend to the director of the department candidates for the position of director of the state office of recipient rights and consult with the director regarding any proposed dismissal of the director of the state office of recipient rights.

(f) Serve in an advisory capacity to the director of the department and the director of the state office of recipient rights.

(g) Review and provide comments on the report submitted by the state office of recipient rights to the department under section 754.

(3) Meetings of the state recipient rights advisory committee are subject to the open meetings act, Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections 15.261 to 15.275 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. Minutes shall be maintained and made available to individuals upon request.

2007/2008 Recipient Rights Advisory Committee Members

Basil Scott, Chairperson, Riverwood Center
John Board, M.D.
Abdallah Boumediene, ACCESS
Vendella Collins, Executive Director, DD Council
Michelle Esterbrook, 3rd Circuit Court/Clinic for Child Study
Kathleen Gross, Executive Director, Michigan Psychiatric Society
Wayne M. Hogan, OCCMHA
Cindy Lepard
Susan McParland, Executive Director, Michigan Association for Children with Emotional Disorders
Jeff Patton, Executive Director, Kalamazoo CMH & SA Services
Mark Reinstein, Ph.D, President, MHA of Michigan
Pamela Stants

2008 Schedule

Meetings begin at 1:00 PM and are conducted in the 3rd Floor Large Conference Room, Lewis Cass Bldg., 320. S. Walnut, Lansing, MI. 

January 24, 2008 - Click this link for January Minutes
March 13, 2008 - Click this link for March Minutes
May 8, 2008 - Click this link for May Minutes
July 10, 2008
September 11, 2008
November 13, 2008

For additional information, please contact Alma Staton at (517) 373-2319 or staton@michigan.gov