Behavioral Health Local Advisory Council
(formerly Mental Health Local Advisory Council)
General Meetings
The Behavioral Health Local Advisory Council usually meets:
First Tuesday of every month
11:30am - 12:30pm
Zoom Remote Meetings
Please check the agenda under the LAC Agendas and Minutes link at right to verify date, time, and location as changes may be made to accommodate holidays and other conflicts.
News Updates
Mobile Crisis Response Team Is Now Here
Journey Home and Our Place Drop-In Center Services RFP Information Session Coming in 2021
BH LAC Barriers to Participation Survey 2020
2019 Social Factors Survey Results
With funding from the Central Service Area Authority, the Local Advisory Council was able to create a Mental Health Resource Guide for our community.
Click the image at left to download this guide.
Stress Resilience & Intelligent Energy Management-Free Training and Registration
What Is the LAC?
In 2011 the Lewis and Clark County Board of Commissioners passed Resolution 2011-174 authorizing the creation of the Behavioral Health Local Advisory Council (LAC). From this date forward, the LAC's specific objectives have maintained to include the following:
- Provide input and recommendations to the State of Montana's Behavioral Health Oversight Advisory Council (BHOAC) and the State of Montana's State Administering Agencies (SAA).
- Examine gaps in child and adult services and recommend solutions when gaps are identified.
- Identify potential additions to services within Lewis and Clark County for recommendation to the County Commissioners.
- When identified, analyze and discuss local problems experienced by Lewis and Clark County service providers, advocacy groups, public officials and the general public
- Facilitate accurate and timely communications.
- Assess the effectiveness of Lewis and Clark County behavioral health services and suggest ways of making services more effective.
- When identified, serve as a catalyst and facilitator in solving Lewis and Clark County behavioral health service problems.
- Recommend strategies for organization and coordination of behavioral health services in Lewis and Clark County, when identified.
- Work with behavioral health providers to provide education to the Lewis and Clark County public on behavioral health issues.
Workgroups
In order to better address the public behavioral health needs of Lewis and Clark County, the LAC formed four workgroups. Each workgroup has a specific focus as follows:
- Workgroup 1 - Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of community mental health services
- Workgroup 2 – Community outreach and communication
- Workgroup 3 – Identify gaps in community mental health services and make recommendations for additional services, as needed
- Workgroup 4 - Screening and access to behavioral health care
Mission Statement
The purpose of the LAC is to assist in the improvement of Lewis and Clark County Public Health Behavioral Health (Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders) services and to review and make recommendations about behavioral health services to the Lewis and Clark Service Area Authorities (SAA).
LAC Members
Drenda Niemann, Chair
Marvin Colman, Vice Chair
Matt Furlong, Past Chair
Jolene Jennings, BH System Improvement Specialist-email contact jjennings(at)lccountymt.gov
Andy Hunthausen
Bob Stewart
Brandy Vail
Brian Coplin
Lt. Cory Bailey
David Roberts
Emily Munn
Eric Griffin
Forrest Webster
Gary Mihelish
Jennifer Preble
Jess Hegstrom
Jill-Marie Steeley
Katie Jerstad
Kim Gardner
Raynor Roberts
Sean Logan
Shane Gabriel
Todd Tecca
Wynn Randall
Vacancies:
1 Lewis and Clark County Schools Representative
If you are interested in filling any of the above vacancies, please fill out the following application.