Utah Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council

What is the Utah Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council (UBHPAC)?

Utah's public behavioral health system is funded in part by two federal block grants: the Mental Health Block Grant and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant. Federal law 102-321 (the Public Service Act) requires any state receiving funding from these block grants to support a Planning and Advisory Council with peer/consumer representation.
The UBHPAC is a group of individuals who support and advocate for services for consumers of public behavioral health services by planning and advising the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.
The UBHPAC is statutorily responsible for reviewing plans for the use of block grant funds, advising the state authority (DSAMH) on block grant plans and revisions, serving as an advocate for individuals impacted by mental illness and or substance use disorder, and monitoring and evaluating the adequacy of services in Utah. (PSA 102-321 sec 1914)

How does the Utah Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council (UBHPAC) work with the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH)?

DSAMH is the state's public mental health and substance abuse authority. DSAMH staff write and manage the Mental Health Block Grant and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant and act as staff to the UBHPAC.
DSAMH staff do not Chair the UBHPAC or any committee; DSAMH staff attend UBHPAC meetings and work with UBHPAC committees as support staff only. The UBHPAC membership includes peer and consumers, family members, agency representatives, treatment providers, advocacy organizations, and many others.
The UBHPAC is an open, public meeting staffed by the DSAMH, and is regularly held on the last Monday of each month at the State Office in Salt Lake City.

UBHPAC

Frequently Asked Questions

Jenn Oxborrow

801.538.4519

joxborrow@utah.gov