Citizens Advisory Council, Member

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In 1979, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners created the Ramsey County Citizens Advisory Council (CAC). Currently, there are seven advisory committees that each represent a specific services population:

• The Adult Mental Health Advisory Council represents adults with mental illness, an organic disorder of the brain or a clinically significant disorder of thought, mood, perception, orientation, memory or behavior that seriously limits their capacity to function in primary aspects of daily living such as personal relations, living arrangements, work and recreation.
• The Adult Services Committee represents the needs and issues impacting: 1) older adults (60+) who have difficulty living independently and area at risk of abuse, neglect and material exploitation and 2) persons between 19 and 60 who have a major physical or neurological disability.
• The Chemical Health Committee represents low income adolescents and adults who have serious alcohol or drug abuse problems, people of color who need culturally specific services to ensure access to drug or alcohol treatment resources and family or significant others who have been affected by the problems of chemical dependency.
• The Children’s Mental Health Advisory Council represents families with a child who fits the legal description of Emotionally Disturbed or Severely Emotionally Disturbed, an organic disorder of the brain or a clinically significant disorder to thought, mood, perception, orientation, memory, or behavior and which seriously limits a child’s capacity to function in primary aspects of daily living, such as personal relations, living arrangements, work, school and recreation.
• The Children’s Services Review Panel (CSRP) is comprised of volunteers who are representative of the community in which they live or serve and who are charged with examining policies and procedures of the Ramsey County Social Services Department’s Child Protection System. The CSRP evaluates the extent to which Ramsey County and the Minnesota Department of Human Services are effectively discharging their children protection responsibilities. The CSRP annually reports their findings and recommendations to the County and Agency. The CSRP also serves an additional role as one of Minnesota’s Citizen Review Panel under Federal Law.
• The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Committee represents individuals with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities, neurodevelopmental disorders, other related conditions or physical disabilities who are limited in their ability to function in at least three major life activities, such as self-care, toileting, household and money management, community living, and leisure including people with an IQ of less than 70 and/or have cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or autism.
• The Low-Income Committee represents individuals and families who need help meeting their basic needs for food, shelter and clothing, including persons who qualify for public assistance because their income or assets fall below the Federal or State poverty guidelines.

The CAC is a valuable resource for the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and the Social Services and Financial Assistance Services Departments by providing meaningful and thoughtful input from a citizen perspective. The CAC gives a voice in public policy by providing knowledge, insight and experience in the decision-making process. The CAC serves as a bridge between the community and county government. All committees have the opportunity to present to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners annually to share insights, observations, recommendations and ideas about important issues.

CAC committee members are appointed by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners for two-year terms and represent diverse background and communities. Each committee strives for a balanced representation and varied perspectives, including consumers of service, family members of the target population, professionals in the field, interested citizens, service providers and representatives from community organizations. Both urban and suburban views are represented as well.