Commissioners vote to reelect Chair Mara Madrigal-Weiss, and Vice Chair Mayra E Alvarez
SACRAMENTO – Commission members unanimously voted to reelect current Chair Mara Madrigal-Weiss, and current Vice Chair Mayra E Alvarez to their respective offices during a regularly scheduled November 17, 2022, hybrid teleconference meeting in Sacramento. Their new terms begin January 2023 and will be effective for one year.
Chair Madrigal-Weiss, who is from San Diego, has served as the designee of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction on the Commission since 2017. Her first term as Chair began in 2021. 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.
“It is an honor and privilege to be re-elected by my fellow commissioners to serve as the chair of the Mental Health Commission,” said Madrigal-Weiss. “I look forward to furthering the mission and vision of the Commission with compassion, care, and inclusivity for all partners committed to the mental health and wellbeing of all Californians across the lifespan.”
Vice Chair Alvarez, who is from San Diego, has served as the designee of the Attorney General on the Commission since 2017. Her first term as Vice Chair began in 2021. She also serves as 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 and based in Los Angeles. 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.