Northwest Georgia System of Care Advisory Council Operating Guidelines
Vision
Our vision is that all children (up to age 21) and caregivers in the Northwest Georgia 15-county region have access to timely and appropriate interventions and supports that help children function normally in their families and in their communities.
Mission
To create a family driven, youth guided, and culturally competent system of mental health interventions and supports organized into a comprehensive and integrated network to meet the multiple and changing needs of children and their families.
Role of the Council
The Advisory Council is the group overseeing the regional system of care collaboration in the 15 counties of Northwest Georgia (Paulding, Haralson, Polk, Bartow, Gordon, Floyd, Whitfield, Murray, Chattooga, Walker, Dade, Catoosa, Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens Counties). This system of care collaboration includes multiple components and subsystems serving youth with mental health needs across multiple agencies such as WIN Georgia, CBAY, and other provider networks (i.e. LIPT, RIAT, etc).
The Advisory Council will serve as an advisory body to recipients of grants that support the Council’s mission and are consistent with the Memorandum of Understanding. The Council may provide consultation and technical assistance to fiscal agents and service providers. The Council will not serve as a fiscal agent, but will maintain a collaborative partnership with grantors, fiscal agents and respective service providers.
The Advisory Council shall:
- Identify service needs, availability and effectiveness
- Advocate for underserved children with specialized needs
- Plan strategically for collaborative opportunities to strengthen the integration of system of care principles into agency and service delivery practices
- Monitor service delivery for best practices and effective outcomes
- Provide technical assistance and consultation to local community systems of care.
- Serve in an advisory role to child welfare, juvenile justice, education, public health, mental health, early childhood, and community collaboratives
- Offer consultation to regional and community agencies
- Provide social marketing for effective services and systems
- Ensure ongoing evaluation and conduct quality assurance activities
- Engage state leadership to support local, regional and state efforts in transformation
- Facilitate and assure system transformation and its long term sustainability
The authority of the Council is established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by all members of the Council. Council membership is a diverse body of representatives comprised of judicial leadership, child-serving agencies, family members, and regional and community leaders committed to the well-being of children and families.
Membership
The Council is comprised of the following individuals:
- A representative Juvenile Court Judge from each of the following counties: Paulding, Bartow, Polk, Haralson, Floyd, Walker, Dade, Gordon, Whitfield, Murray, Fannin, Catoosa, Chattooga, Gilmer and Pickens
- DFCS Region 1 Director
- DFCS Region 3 Director
- 2 of the following representatives from DJJ: Regional Administrator, District Director,
or Assistant District Director as DJJ choses - DBHDD Regional Coordinator
- School Superintendent (Representative)
- Georgia Family Connection Representative
- Public Health District Program Manager
- Lookout Mountain Community Service Board Executive Director
- Highland Rivers Community Service Board Executive Director
- Law Enforcement Representative, President of NW GA LE Executive Association
- Provider Representatives recommended by Regional DBHDD and approved by the Council
- Any other provider deemed necessary by the Council
- Family Representative (Approved by Council)
- Youth Representative (Approved by Council – see criteria at end of document)
If an individual leaves a designated position, the person assuming the position will be asked to replace the individual on the Council. Their respective representing group will recommend representatives. To expand membership, additional members may be added by majority vote. A current member who will provide information on the proposed candidate’s capacity to contribute to the mission of the Council will nominate candidates. The Council may approve designees.
Protocol of the Advisory Council
- The Voting Council meets monthly on the second Friday at 9:00 a.m. at the Forum in Rome, Georgia. The Advisory Council meets monthly on the second Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Forum in Rome, Georgia. Additional meetings may be called as needed. Notice of cancelling a meeting or changing the time or location of the regular meeting shall be given by email as soon as possible and at least a week prior to the change or cancellation
- An agenda and minutes will be distributed by e-mail at least two days prior to the regular meeting
- Meetings are open
- A closed (confidential) meeting may be called by a majority vote of the Council when circumstances warrant
- Notices of meetings will include an agenda, including items for discussion and items for vote. If an individual is unable to attend, he/she may send written commentary for consideration by Council members or a representative that can vote
- One vote per membership position
- Consensus is preferred but majority vote rules when required
- There are no proxies. Members may designate another member to vote in their absence during a meeting
- Council is led under Co-leadership of a Judicial Chairperson and an Administrative Chairperson
- A Secretary will take notes, distribute through e-mail and maintain as records
- All offices serve one-year terms and may serve consecutive terms if re-elected
- Term of service will be for a calendar year (January – December)
- Council members shall review press, media and speaking opportunities with the Council (or leadership if time restricted) before speaking as a representative of The Council
- Members may not vote on issues in which their agency has a fiduciary interest
New Members
New to the NWGA System of Care Council? Please take a moment to review the New Member Packet below: