The Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) announced the addition of two new Commissioners:

Senator Jim Beall, San Jose – Senator Beall was elected to the California State Senate in 2012 and represents the 15th Senate District. He was elected to the State Assembly in November 2006, representing District 24. He is the chairman of the Senate Mental Health Caucus. He has spent three decades in public service as a San Jose City Councilman, a Santa Clara County Supervisor and an Assembly member. On the Commission, Senator Beall represents the member of the Senate selected by the President pro Tempore of the Senate.

Assemblymember Tony Thurmond, Richmond – Assemblymember Thurmond was elected to represent California’s 15th Assembly District in November 2014. The district includes the East Bay communities that stretch along the I-80 corridor from Hercules to Oakland. First elected to the Richmond City Council in 2005, Thurmond served as Council Liaison to Richmond’s Youth Commission, the Workforce Investment Board and the West Contra Costa Unified School District. On the Commission, Assemblymember Thurmond represents the member of the Assembly selected by the Speaker of the Assembly.

NAMI California will continue to work with Senator Beall and Assemblymember Thurmond at the MHSOAC Commission and on mental health care issues in the legislature. We encourage NAMI members to participate in MHSOAC Commission meetings. Please contact David@namica.org to learn more and attend the next meeting with other NAMI members!