HAGERSTOWN – The Washington County Board of County Commissioners is seeking applicants to join the Washington County Mental Health Authority Board, an advisory group dedicated to improving mental health services for residents of all ages.
Guided by Maryland state law, the 11-member volunteer Board oversees mental health-specific services within the public behavioral health system administered by the nonprofit Washington County Mental Health Authority.
The authority “promotes mental wellness and improving quality of life through planning, funding and monitoring the public mental health system,” according to its mission statement, and ensures quality services, advocates for consumers and supports community integration and education.
The county commissioners will select new board members to fill four current openings without a specific deadline. The announcement of the vacancies did not delineate specific qualifications for the roles except for general experience in the mental health field.
“Applicant (qualifications) should align with the respective role descriptions,” County Spokeswoman Katie Yoder said. “Though they are volunteer positions, members will benefit from training and networking opportunities.”
The board is recruiting to fill roles including:
- Child Advocate: Focuses on children’s mental health needs, ideally with expertise in pediatric care or education.
- Family Advocate: A family member of someone who has used local mental health services, bringing personal insight to caregiving challenges.
- Consumer Representative: An individual who has personally received mental health care, offering a lived-experience perspective.
- Citizen-at-Large Representative: A community member with a general interest in mental health, representing broader community concerns.
These positions require attending at least four meetings annually, typically on the fourth Wednesday at noon, including an annual meeting. Additional meetings may take place as needed.
Application forms are available on the county website or by contacting County Clerk Dawn L. Marcus at 240-313-2204 ([email protected]). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no set deadline.
