Behavioral Health Advisory Council

Vision: Effective, efficient, and accessible behavioral health services for all Virginians.

Mission: To transform Virginia’s behavioral health system to reflect the highest quality of health, recovery, and wellness across the lifespan.

What We Do

The Council serves as the primary, ongoing forum for articulating and building a consensus among consumers, families, advocates, providers, planners and state agencies; which will ensure a system of treatment, services and support of high quality care for children, adults, and elders who suffer from serious emotional disturbances, serious mental illnesses, and substance abuse.

The Council annually reviews all expenditures and budgets in the state system for mental health and substance abuse services to satisfy the federal mandate that monies spent do not conflict with the restrictions of the federal mandate. This review includes the Federal Block Grant Application and the Mental Health Plan(s) of Virginia, as expressed in the Performance Partnership Plan. Additionally, the Council reviews all other plans developed by the state that will impact mental health and substance abuse consumers; including—but not limited to—the state’s six year Comprehensive State Plan and the Community Services Performance Contract.

The Council continuously monitors, evaluates and reviews the implementation of the Commonwealth’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Plans including:

the allocation, adequacy and quality of mental health and substance abuse services to children with serious emotional and mental disorders and adults with serious mental illness
the congruence between existing services and the Commonwealth’s stated values, priorities and goals
the plan’s impact on improving the quality of life for Virginia’s mental health and substance abuse consumers and their families
direct observation, visitation, and interviews with consumers, family members and advocates; with regard to the programs, facilities, and human rights provisions of the state.

The Council makes recommendations to the various departments and agencies serving or funding services for consumers and their families, including, but not limited to, the Commissioner and the Board of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Council monitors the activities of, and makes recommendations to, state Executive and Legislative Committees whose actions affect consumers and their families.

Contact Us

For further information about the Council, please contact Nathanael Rudney in the DBHDS Office of Adult Community Behavioral Health Services by email & phone at 804-944-1037.

The Virginia Behavioral Health Advisory Council’s meetings are typically held from 10 AM to 12PM on the third Wednesday of February, April, June, August and October, and the first Wednesday of December. Meetings currently occur virtually and the public is invited to attend

Are you interested in becoming a member of the Virginia Behavioral Health Advisory Council?

*Consideration of new membership applications is currently on hold until March 2025 while Council bylaws and required membership categories are under review.*

BHAC
c/o Mental Health America of Virginia
2008 Bremo Road, Suite 101
Richmond VA 23226
Fax to the Virginia Behavioral Health Advisory Council at 804-447-7786