122C-171. State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee.

(a) There is established the State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (State CFAC). The State CFAC shall be shall be a self-governing and self-directed organization that advises the Department and the General Assembly on the planning and management of the State's public mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services system.

(b) The State CFAC shall be composed of 21 members. The members shall be composed exclusively of adult consumers of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services; and family members of consumers of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services. The terms of members shall be three years, and no member may serve more than two consecutive terms. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority. The members shall be appointed as follows:

(1) Nine by the Secretary. The Secretary's appointments shall reflect each of the disability groups. The terms shall be staggered so that terms of three of the appointees expire each year.

(2) Three by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one each of whom shall come from the three State regions for institutional services (Eastern Region, Central Region, and Western Region). The terms of the appointees shall be staggered so that the term of one appointee expires every year.

(3) Three by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one each of whom shall come from the three State regions for institutional services (Eastern Region, Central Region, and Western Region). The terms of the appointees shall be staggered so that the term of one appointee expires every year.

(4) Three by the Council of Community Programs, one each of whom shall come from the three State regions for institutional services (Eastern Region, Central Region, and Western Region). The terms of the appointees shall be staggered so that the term of one appointee expires every year.

(5) Three by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, one each of whom shall come from the three State regions for institutional services (Eastern Region, Central Region, and Western Region). The terms of the appointees shall be staggered so that the term of one appointee expires every year.

(c) The State CFAC shall undertake all of the following:

(1) Review, comment on, and monitor the implementation of the State Plan for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.

(2) Identify service gaps and underserved populations.

(3) Make recommendations regarding the service array and monitor the development of additional services.

(4) Review and comment on the State budget for mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services.

(5) Participate in all quality improvement measures and performance indicators.

(6) Receive the findings and recommendations by local CFACs regarding ways to improve the delivery of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services.

(7) Provide technical assistance to local CFACs in implementing their duties.

(d) The Secretary shall provide sufficient staff to assist the State CFAC in implementing its duties under subsection (c) of this section. The assistance shall include data for the identification of service gaps and underserved populations, training to review and comment on the State Plan and departmental budget, procedures to allow participation in quality monitoring, and technical advice on rules of procedure and applicable laws.

(e) State CFAC members shall receive the per diem and allowances prescribed by G.S. 138-5 for State boards and commissions.