Notice of Meeting for the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC)

AGENCY:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Secretary of Health and Human Services announces a meeting of the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC). The ISMICC is open to the public and can be accessed via telephone or webcast only, and not in person. Agenda with call-in information will be posted on SAMHSA's website prior to the meeting at: https://www.samhsa.gov/about-us/advisory-councils/meetings. The meeting will include information on federal efforts related to serious mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbance (SED).

DATES:

August 27, 2021, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (EDT)/Open.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held virtually and can be accessed via Zoom.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Pamela Foote, ISMICC Designated Federal Officer, SAMHSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, 14E53C, Rockville, MD 20857; telephone: 240-276-1279; email: pamela.foote@samhsa.hhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Authority

The ISMICC was established on March 15, 2017, in accordance with section 6031 of the 21st Century Cures Act, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App., as amended, to report to the Secretary, Congress, and any other relevant federal department or agency on advances in SMI and SED, research related to the prevention of, diagnosis of, intervention in, and treatment and recovery of SMIs, SEDs, and advances in access to services and supports for adults with SMI or children with SED. In addition, the ISMICC will evaluate the effect federal programs related to SMI and SED have on public health, including public health outcomes such as: (A) Rates of suicide, suicide attempts, incidence and prevalence of SMIs, SEDs, and substance use disorders, overdose, overdose deaths, emergency hospitalizations, emergency room boarding, preventable emergency room visits, interaction with the criminal justice system, homelessness, and unemployment; (B) increased rates of employment and enrollment in educational and vocational programs; (C) quality of mental and substance use disorders treatment services; or (D) any other criteria determined by the Secretary. Finally, the ISMICC will make specific recommendations for actions that agencies can take to better coordinate the administration of mental health services for adults with SMI or children with SED. Not later than one (1) year after the date of enactment of the 21st Century Cures Act, and five (5) years after such date of enactment, the ISMICC shall submit a report to Congress and any other relevant federal department or agency.

II. Membership

This ISMICC consists of federal members listed below or their designees, and non-federal public members.

Federal Membership: Members include, The Secretary of Health and Human Services; The Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use; The Attorney General; The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs; The Secretary of the Department of Defense; The Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development; The Secretary of the Department of Education; The Secretary of the Department of Labor; The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and The Commissioner of the Social Security Administration.

Non-Federal Membership: Members include, 15 non-federal public members appointed by the Secretary, representing psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, peer support specialists, and other providers, patients, family of patients, law enforcement, the judiciary, and leading research, advocacy, or service organizations.

The ISMICC is required to meet at least twice per year.

To attend virtually, submit written or brief oral comments, or request special accommodation for persons with disabilities, contact Pamela Foote. Individuals can also register on-line at: https://snacregister.samhsa.gov/MeetingList.aspx.

The public comment section will be scheduled at the conclusion of the meeting. Individuals interested in submitting a comment, must notify Pamela Foote on or before August 20, 2021 via email to: Pamela.Foote@samhsa.hhs.gov.

Up to three minutes will be allotted for each approved public comment as time permits. Written comments received in advance of the meeting will be considered for inclusion in the official record of the meeting.

Substantive meeting information and a roster of Committee members is available at the Committee's website: https://www.samhsa.gov/about-us/advisory-councils/meetings.