TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY (WENY) -- The Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) is looking for people to join a subcommittee of the Tompkins County Community Services Board (CSB). Organizers are asking that any potential members must have a passion in addressing issues regarding mental health and substance use.

CSB is a volunteer board that serves as the governing body for the Mental Health Local Governmental Unit. It's responsible for developing preventative, rehabilitative, and treatment services for the community. This is to ensure care continues for people with mental illness(es), developmental disabilities, and those experiencing or recovering substance use disorders.

There are three subcommittees:

- Substance Use Subcommittee
- Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee
- Mental Health Subcommittee

The current open positions are:

- Three vacancies in the Mental Health Subcommittee
- Three vacancies in the Substance Use Subcommittee

In a statement, the Chair of the CSB Substance Use Subcommittee, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jacob Parker Carver said, “The Substance Use Subcommittee is a group of passionate, dedicated community members working to support individuals facing substance use challenges and all those whose lives have been impacted by addiction. By distributing relevant data and information, reducing barriers to appropriate treatment and services, and promoting evidence-based best practice we aim to reduce stigma and reinforce the hopeful message that recovery is possible. As the addiction crisis continues in our community and across the country, we invite community members to join the Substance Use Subcommittee to help inform real and meaningful change!”

Applicants must complete an Advisory Board Application form to indicate interest in serving on a CSB Subcommittee. Forms can be picked up from the County Legislature Office (Governor Daniel D. Tompkins Building (Old Court House)), you can call the County Legislature at (607)-274-5434, or you can download the form online.

After submitting an application, candidates could be interviewed prior to recommendation. The candidate must be approved by both the CSB and the County Legislature. People of color, women, people with disabilities, and veterans are being strongly encouraged to apply.

For more info, please contact the Whole Health Commissioner, Frank Kruppa, at (607)-274-6200.