This manual was developed as a quick reference guide to the basic role and responsibilities associated with the State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and how the State Board relates to the Department and the services system.
The purpose of this manual is to provide new members of the State Board with specific information required for their New Member Orientation. It is also intended to provide interested stakeholders with a better understanding of the State Board of BHDS and the entire services system. The information below may assist in answering questions and in providing a broad overview. For more detailed information, please contact staff at the Department of BHDS.
This manual is intended as a useful tool in understanding and working with the State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
Powers and Duties
- State law specifies the powers and duties of the Board in § 37.2-203 of the Code of Virginia.
- Bylaws
- Annual Executive Summary
Legal Requirements: New Members
- Financial Disclosures: Members of certain boards of state and local government are required to file a Financial Disclosure Statement with the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office as a condition of assuming office and then, annually while serving as an officeholder.
- Conflict of Interest Act (COIA): Within two months of appointment, state filers must take an orientation course on ethics in public contracting, if applicable, and other conflict of interests requirements. A helpful explanation of this law regarding conflict of interest in state and local government was developed.
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): § 2.2-3702 requires any person elected, reelected, appointed or reappointed to any body not excepted from that chapter to (i) be furnished by the public body's administrator or legal counsel with a copy of this chapter within two weeks following election, reelection, appointment or reappointment and (ii) read and become familiar with the provisions of this chapter. The current law can be accessed through that link, as well as reference documents. The Department posts information on how FOIA requests can be made to the DBHDS.
Legal Requirements: Ongoing
- COIA: State filers must take an orientation course on ethics in public contracting once during each consecutive two year period beginning in the first odd-numbered year, in accordance with Code of Virginia § 2.2-3130.
- Travel Guidelines: Staff will provide you with travel reimbursement forms at each meeting. Executive Branch agencies, including all Executive Branch boards and commissions, must comply with the State Travel Regulations. These are the same Regulations to which all other Executive Branch employees are held accountable.
- Privacy Laws: Board members do not need to know all the intricacies of privacy law, but only the general rule contained in Virginia Code 32.1-127.1:03(A)(3), which is that any protected health information that a board member obtains in the performance of his duties as a board member should generally not be re-disclosed absent authorization. A basic overview of the role of the board and privacy laws has been developed.
Fulfillment of Duties and Responsibilities
- Regulatory: To fulfill its regulatory responsibilities, the Board as a whole performs regulatory activities as required by the Administrative Process Act. (There is no committee for regulatory activity.) The State of Virginia has a Web site for all regulatory activity called the Regulatory Town Hall. The site facilitates public participation through a meeting calendar, online comment forums and an email notification service. Board members should become familiar with the basics of the regulatory process. All State Board regulations are listed in the Virginia Register of Regulations. The Register serves as the central repository for all regulations adopted by state agencies.
- Policy Development and Evaluation Committee: To fulfill the role of a policymaking board, the Board has a Policy Development and Evaluation Committee as described in the Bylaws. The policies of the Board are all available.
- Planning and Budget Committee: To fulfill its long term planning and fiscal and budget advisory responsibilities, the Board has a Planning and Budget Committee as described in the Bylaws. Information on the state budget can be found at the Department of Planning and Budget Web site.
- Grant Review Committee: To fulfill its responsibility to review grant applications for federal funds prior to submission, a Grant Review Committee has been established.
- Liaison Role: To fulfill its responsibility to increase public awareness, each Board member serves as a liaison with state facilities and community services boards.
Meetings
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Central Office
- Key Contacts
- Creating Opportunities: A Plan for Advancing Community-Focused Services in Virginia
- Integrated Strategic Plan
- Comprehensive State Plan
- State Human Rights Committee
Facilities – explanation and contacts
Community Services Boards – explanation and contacts
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Appendix A – Membership Roster and Terms
Appendix B –
Liaison Documents
Appendix C – Organizational Charts and Maps
Appendix E –
State Government Org Chart
Appendix F –
Robert’s Rules of Order
Appendix G –
Current Governor’s Executive Orders and
All Executive Orders Currently in Effect by Former Governors of Virginia
Appendix H –
Glossary of Terms and Acronyms
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