Mental Health Planning & Advisory Council (MHPAC)

The Colorado Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council (MHPAC) was created as a result of federal laws passed in 1986 and 1992 which require States and Territories to perform mental health planning in order to receive federal Mental Health Block Grant funds. The laws further require that stakeholders, including mental health consumers, their family members, and parents of children with serious emotional or behavioral disturbances, must be involved in these planning efforts through membership in the planning and advisory council. The National Association of Mental Health Planning and Advisory Councils (NAMHPAC) provides additional information about planning council requirements and efforts.

The State is required to submit yearly applications to receive federal block grant funds. This application is known as the Block Grant Plan. The Mental Health Block Grant program is administered by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), which is an agency of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The objective of block grant planning, in general, is to support the State creation and expansion of comprehensive, community-based systems of care for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance. The Block Grant Plan is developed with input from MHPAC, and addresses the need for services among special populations.

The purpose of the Colorado MHPAC is:

To exchange information and develop, evaluate and communicate ideas about mental health planning
To write and amend strategic plans for mental health services in the State of Colorado
To advise the Colorado state government concerning proposed and adopted plans for mental health services provided or coordinated by the state and the implementation thereof
To monitor, review and evaluate the allocation and adequacy of mental health services in Colorado and to advise the Colorado state government concerning the need for and quality of services and programs for persons with mental illness in the state
To develop and take advocacy positions concerning mental health legislation and regulations

Last Updated: 8/5/10