The following information is from the BRBH By-Laws (2003):

PURPOSE

To serve as an operating Community Service Board providing a system of comprehensive community mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services under local control.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall number sixteen, with three members each from the Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the Counties of Botetourt and Roanoke, and one member from the County of Craig. Three members at large are to be recommended by the Board and must be jointly appointed by the five jurisdictions.

One third of the appointments to the Board shall be identified consumers or family members of consumers, at least one of whom shall be a consumer receiving services. The Board shall inform the member governments of the number of Board members in each of the above categories prior to each appointment cycle.

This Board shall represent the Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the Counties of Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke who shall appoint Board members and shall notify the Board of appointees.

The term of office shall be for three years from the first day of January of the year of appointment. Terms of office will be staggered to provide that no more than six terms expire in a given year. Any adjustment to the expiration date or current terms will be accomplished by attrition through expiring terms or other vacancies. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term.

No person shall be eligible to serve more than three successive three year terms, provided that persons heretofore and hereafter appointed to fill vacancies may serve three additional successive terms.

Any member of the Board may be removed by the appointing authority for cause, after being given a written statement of the causes and an opportunity to be heard thereon.

DUTIES

Section 1. To serve as Board of Directors for the Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services program.

Section 2. To be the sole recipient of local tax funds to be matched by State and/or Federal funds for the mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services programs and to have authority for the expenditure of all said local tax funds allocated to it.

Section 3. To review and evaluate programs either operated directly or through contractual agreements to ensure the adequacy of service, conformance to standards accepted, and make certain that community needs for mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services are being met.

Section 4. To submit to the governing body or bodies of each political subdivision, of which it is an agency, all annual performance contract for community mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services and facilities.

Section 5. Within amounts appropriated thereon, to execute such program and maintain such services as may be authorized under such appropriations.

Section 6. To enter into contracts for rendition or operation of services or facilities.

Section 7. To make rules or regulations concerning the rendition or operation of services and facilities under its direction or supervision, subject to applicable standards or regulations of the Department of Mental Health, and Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services.

Section 8. To appoint an executive director of Blue Ridge Community Services whose qualifications meet the standards fixed by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services and prescribe his duties. The compensation of such executive director shall be fixed by the Board and within the amounts made available by appropriation therefor. This executive director will be responsible, directly to the Blue Ridge Community Services Board for all aspects of programs directly and indirectly under the purview of the Blue Ridge Community Services Board.

Section 9. -To prescribe a reasonable schedule of fees, for services provided by personnel or facilities under the Jurisdiction or supervision of the Board and for the manner of collection of same; provided, however, that all collected fees shall be included in the performance contract submitted to the participating governments;, provided, further, that such collected fees shall be used only for community mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse purposes.

Section 10. To accept or refuse gifts, donations, bequests or grants of money or property from any source and utilize the same as authorized by the political subdivisions, of which it is an agency.

Section 11. To seek and accept funds through State and Federal grants and maintain a line of credit sufficient to maintain the day-to-day operations of the programs under its jurisdiction.

Section 12. To maintain and promote awareness among the membership of a Board Orientation Manual.

Section 13. To ensure that the financial records of Blue Ridge Community Services are audited annually by an independent auditor approved by the City of Salem, serving as fiscal agent by agreement of the Participating governments , and that the auditor's report is submitted to the political subdivisions, of which it is an agency and to the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services.

MEETING SCHEDULE

Section 1. Regular meetings shall be held at a time to be determined by the Board.

Section 2. Special meetings shall be held at a time to be determined by the Board.

Section 3. The quorum for all Board meetings shall be six members, including the Chairman or Vice-Chairman.

Section 4. The Executive committee shall meet at the discretion of the Chairman.

Section 5. The quorum for all Executive Committee meetings shall be a majority of the Committee.

Members

Linda G. Manns - 3 year term expires 12-31-2010

Dan O'Donnell - 3 year term expires 12-31-2009

Keith Beasley - 3 year term expires 12-31-2011

Daniel E. Karnes - Member at Large - 3 year term expires 12-31-2009

Dana Barnes Lee - Member at Large - 3 year term expires 12-31-2010

Larry Cadd - Member at Large effective - 1-1-2009 through 12-31-2011

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare

Members