SACRAMENTO – As 2022 begins, California’s Mental Health Commission has a new Chair, Mara Madrigal-Weiss, and new Vice Chair, Mayra E Alvarez. The election took place at the Commission meeting teleconference on November 18, 2021. The terms will be effective for one year.
Chair Madrigal-Weiss has served as the designee of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction on the Commission since 2017. She is also the Chair of the Prevention and Early Intervention Subcommittee, Vice Chair of the Workplace Mental Health Committee, and previously served as Commission Vice Chair after her election in 2019. Madrigal-Weiss is the Executive Director of Student Wellness and School Culture, Student Services and Programs Division, San Diego County Office of Education.
Vice Chair Alvarez has served as the designee of the Attorney General on the Commission since 2017. She is also Chair of the Cultural and Linguistic Competency Committee and Vice Chair of the Prevention and Early Intervention Subcommittee. Alvarez is President of The Children’s Partnership, a nonprofit children’s advocacy organization working to advance child health equity. She also serves as a First 5 California Commissioner, appointed by Governor Newson.
About the Commission
In enacting Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act, California voters in 2014 created and charged the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission with the responsibility of driving transformational change in public and private mental health systems to achieve the vision that everyone who needs mental health care has access to and receives effective and culturally competent care. The Commission was design to empower stakeholders, with members representing consumers and their families, service providers, law enforcement, educators, and employers. The Commission puts consumers and families at the center of decision-making. The Commission promotes community collaboration, cultural competency, and integrated service delivery. The Commission is committed to wellness and recovery, using its authorities, resources, and passion to reduce the negative outcomes of mental illness and promote the mental health and wellbeing of all Californians.