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Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee Charter

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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) was established on March 15, 2017, in accordance with the 21st Century Cures Act (PL 114-255, Sec. 6031).

Committee’s Official Designation

Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee

Authority

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) is established in accordance with the provisions of Section 6031 of the 21st Century Cures Act (Pub. L. 114-255). The ISMICC is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. 10).

Objectives and Scope of Activities

The Secretary of HHS (Secretary) shall establish a committee to be known as the ISMICC. Not later than each of one (1) year and 5 years after the date of enactment of section 501C, of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, the ISMICC shall submit to Congress and any other relevant Federal department or agency, a report described in the section below.

Description of Duties

The reports to Congress and any other relevant Federal department or agency will include: (1) a summary of advances in serious mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbance (SED) research related to the prevention of, diagnosis of, intervention in, and treatment and recovery of SMIs, SEDs, and advances in access to services and support for adults with a SMI or children with a SED; (2) an evaluation of the effect Federal programs related to serious mental illness have on public health, including outcomes such as (A) rates of suicide, suicide attempts, incidence and prevalence of SMIs, SEDs, and substance use disorders, overdose, overdose deaths, emergency hospitalizations, emergency department boarding, preventable emergency department visits, interaction with the criminal justice system, homelessness, and unemployment; (B) increased rates of employment and enrollment in educational and vocational programs; (C) quality of mental and substance use disorders treatment services; or (D) any other criteria as may be determined by the Secretary; and (3) specific recommendations for actions that agencies can take to better coordinate the administration of mental health services for adults with a SMI or children with a SED.

Agency or Official to Whom the Committee Reports

The ISMICC reports to the Secretary or its designee.

Support

Management and support services shall be provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Staff Years

The estimated annual cost for operating the ISMICC, including compensation and travel expenses for members but excluding staff support and expenses for federal staff, is $68,687. The estimated total annual cost for operating the ISMICC including 2 full-time equivalents is $142,349.

Designated Federal Officer

The Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use shall designate a SAMHSA staff member to serve as the Designated Federal Official (DFO) of the ISMICC. The DFO will prepare and approve all meeting and subcommittee meeting agendas, attend all meetings and subcommittee meetings, adjourn any meeting when the DFO determines adjournment to be in the public interest, and chair meetings when directed to do so by the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use.

Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings

The ISMICC shall meet not fewer than two times each year. The location of the meetings of the ISMICC shall be subject to the approval of the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use.

The ISMICC meetings shall be open to the public except as determined otherwise by the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, in accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b(c)) and the FACA. Notice of all meetings shall be given to the public. There will be opportunities for the public to comment prior to and during each meeting. In the event a portion of a meeting is closed to the public, a report shall be prepared which shall contain, at a minimum, a list of members, the ISMICC’s functions, dates, places of meetings, and a summary of ISMICC activities and recommendations made during the fiscal year.

Duration

The charter for the ISMICC will be renewed every two (2) years until the ISMICC terminates.

Termination

The ISMICC shall terminate on September 30, 2027.

Membership and Designation

The ISMICC will consist of federal members listed below, or their designees, and non-federal public members.

Federal Membership: The ISMICC shall be composed of the following Federal representatives, or the designees of such representatives, who will serve as Regular Government Employees:

  • The Secretary of Health and Human Services;
  • The Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use;
  • The Attorney General;
  • The Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
  • The Secretary of Defense;
  • The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development;
  • The Secretary of Education;
  • The Secretary of Labor;
  • The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;
  • The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living; and
  • The Commissioner of Social Security.

The Secretary designates the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use as the Chair of the ISMICC.

Non-Federal Membership: The ISMICC shall also include not less than 14 non-Federal public members appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as Special Government Employees, of which:

  • At least 2 members shall be an individual who has received treatment for a diagnosis of a serious mental illness;
  • At least 1 member shall be a parent or legal guardian of an adult with a history of a SMI or a child with a history of a SED;
  • At least 1 member shall be a representative of a leading research, advocacy, or service organization for adults with a SMI;
  • At least two members shall be:
    • A licensed psychiatrist with experience treating SMI;
    • A licensed psychologist with experience in treating SMI or SEDs;
    • A licensed clinical social worker with experience treating SMIs or SEDs; or
    • A licensed psychiatric nurse, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant with experience in treating SMIs or SEDs.
  • At least 1 member shall be a licensed mental health professional with a specialty in treating children and adolescents with a SED;
  • At least 1 member shall be a mental health professional who has research or clinical mental health experience in working with minorities;
  • At least 1 member shall be a mental health professional who has research or clinical mental health experience in working with medically underserved populations;
  • At least 1 member shall be a State certified mental health peer support specialist;
  • At least 1 member shall be a judge with experience in adjudicating cases related to criminal justice or SMI;
  • At least 1 member shall be a law enforcement officer or corrections officer with extensive experience in interfacing with adults with a SMI, children with a SED, or individuals in a mental health crisis; and
  • At least 1 member shall have experience providing services for homeless individuals and working with adults with a SMI, children with a SED, or individuals in a mental health crisis.

The term of office of a non-Federal member of the ISMICC shall be for three (3) years, and may be reappointed to serve for one or more additional three-year terms. If a vacancy occurs in the ISMICC among the members, the Secretary shall make an appointment to fill such vacancy within 90 days from the date the vacancy occurs. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. A member may serve after the expiration of the member’s term until a successor has been appointed. Initial appointments shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that the terms of the members not all expire in the same year.

Subcommittees

In coordination with the DFO, the ISMICC may establish working groups. Working groups shall be composed of ISMICC members, or their designees, and may hold meetings as are necessary. Working groups may be established by the parent ISMICC in coordination with the DFO with the approval of the Secretary. Recommendations of a working group must be deliberated by the ISMICC. A working group may not provide advice or work products directly to HHS. The ISMICC will coordinate with the DFO the establishment of each working group, and will be provided information on its name, membership, function, and estimated frequency of meetings.

Recordkeeping

Meetings of the ISMICC and its working groups will be conducted according to the FACA, other applicable laws and HHS policies. The ISMICC and working group records will be handled in accordance with General Records Schedule, 6.2, Federal Advisory Committee Records or other approved disposition schedule. These records will be available for public inspection and copying, subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.

Filing Date

May 08, 2023

APPROVED

________________________

Xavier Becerra
Secretary Department of Health & Human Services

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