Platte County Commission establishes Mental Health Board Advisory Committee
PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Platte County Commission formed the Platte County Mental Health Board Advisory Committee, a group tasked with developing the application process for the establishment of the Platte County Mental Health Board.
The step follows the Commission's earlier decision to withdraw from the Clay-Platte-Ray Mental Health Board to prioritize local control, transparency and services aimed to directly address the mental health needs of Platte County residents.
The county now holds over $3 million in annual property tax revenue, which has been redirected to support Platte County-specific mental health initiatives. The new board will play a critical role in shaping how the future Platte County Mental Health Board is formed and operates.
The Committee is responsible for:
- Designing a fair and open application process for individuals interested in serving on the Platte County Mental Health Board
- Recommending qualifications, selection criteria and appointment procedures to ensure the board reflects the diversity and priorities of the community
- Providing recommendations to the Platte County Commission for final approval of the application framework and board structure
"The creation of this Advisory Board marks an important milestone in our commitment to building a mental health system that truly serves Platte County," said Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker. "By having stakeholder input on what we should be looking for in Board members, we are positioning Platte County to deliver more effective, accountable, and tailored mental health services for our residents."
The Advisory Board includes representatives from various sectors, including health professionals, County leaders, residents and other stakeholders with relevant expertise.
Members of the Committee include:
- Honorable Amy Ashleford, Associate Judge, Platte County Circuit Court
- Public Administrator of Platte County, Shanna Burns
- Pharmacist Carole Ficken
- Platte County Health Board Member Jeff Kingsley
- ReDiscover Director Elliot Lahn
- Platte County Administrator Wes Minder
- Platte County Representative, Clay Platte Ray Mental Health Board, Jason Sneed
- Platte County Health Board Member Michael Shafe
- Psychiatrist Alii Sayed
