Mental Health (708) Board

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

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Members

The Jackson County Board appoints seven members to the 708 Board. The Chair of the County Board may, upon request of the 708 Board, appoint two additional members. No compensation shall be paid to the Board members for their services. Expenses of the Board members in the performance of their official duties shall be reimbursed after approval by the Board for each instance.

Conditions On Membership

No member of the 708 Board may be a full-time or part-time member of the Department of Human Services or a board member, employee, or any other individual receiving compensation from any facility or service operating under contract to the Board. Only one member shall be a member of the Jackson County Board. Members shall be residents of Jackson County and, as nearly as possible, be representative of interested groups of the community such as local health departments, medical societies, local comprehensive health planning agencies, hospital boards, lay associations concerned with mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse, as well as the general public. Duties of the 708 Board include but are not limited to

  • Attendance at bi-monthly Board meetings and at committee meetings as necessary
  • Develop an annual budget
  • Review request for 708 funds from local mental health service providers
  • Evaluate and monitor mental health services in Jackson County
  • Cooperate with the Illinois Department of Mental Health & Development Disabilities
  • Set policies of the 708 Board
  • Develop short and long-range plans for the delivery of mental health services in Jackson County

Besides the regular bi-monthly meetings and committee time, Board members are encouraged to periodically participate in activities relevant to mental health including agency board meetings. Time commitment will vary with the level of interest but generally entails five hours per month. Qualities useful for 708 Board membership:

  • Interest in Mental Health and willingness to learn about the Mental Health needs and services in Jackson County
  • Interest in making a contribution to the community of Jackson County on a voluntary basis
  • Previous involvement with community volunteer boards and knowledge of program planning and evaluation, grant writing, and budgeting

Overview

Mission Statement

The mission of the Jackson County Mental Health (708) Board is to plan, allocate funds, coordinate, and evaluate a comprehensive system of Community Mental Health, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse services for the citizens of Jackson County, Illinois.

Authority & Responsibility

The Jackson County Mental Health (708) Board is a special purpose unit of county government operating under the provision of H.B. 708, Illinois Revised Statutes, Vol. 2, Chapter 91 1/2, Sections 301-314 inclusive. The cited legislation enables local governments to levy taxes for purposes related to mental health. In November of 1964, through a county-wide referendum, the citizens of Jackson County voted to levy this tax, thereby creating the Jackson County Mental Health (708) Board.

The 708 Board, as it has come to be known, is appointed by and responsible to the Jackson County Board. The 708 Board has the responsibility to develop and maintain a comprehensive mental health program available to all residents of Jackson County in accordance with the Community Mental Health Act, H.B. 708, as amended. By the term "comprehensive" the statute mandates that mental health funds are for mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services.

2023 Meeting Schedule (DOC)