The LifeWays Board of Directors is established pursuant to Michigan's Mental Health Code (Public Act 258 of 1974, as amended by Public Act 290 of 1996).  The members, collectively, are charged with assessing County needs for behavioral health services, establishing plans to meet those needs, reviewing and approving the annual plan and budget, securing funds to help support the program, reviewing and evaluating the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of services, appointing a Chief Executive Officer, and establishing policy guidelines for the Chief Executive Officer to execute the behavioral health program.

The Board is composed of twelve members appointed by the Jackson and Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners in proportion to each county's population.  Its Business Meeting is typically the third Wednesday of each month in the LifeWays Board Room.  Every third month it is held in Hillsdale.

Also held monthly, or as needed, are the Board's Standing Committees:  Quality Improvement & Credentialing, and Program & Finance; its Executive Committee, and the Facilities Ad Hoc Committee.

Quality Improvement & Credentialing Committee
Purpose:  The QI&CR Committee is responsible for setting and monitoring policies, which govern operations; reviewing and approving the standards for provider operations; and revising the Board bylaws as necessary.  The QI&CR Committee is responsible for the oversight of program quality and performs this function through analysis of routine reports.

Facilities Committee (Ad Hoc)
Purpose:  The Facilities Committee The Facilities Committee is responsible for the oversight of a building owned or leased for LifeWays purposes.  The Committee participates in ensuring that buildings are accessible and safe for staff, tenants, and consumers.

Program & Finance Committee Purpose
Purpose:  The Program and Finance Committee provides oversight of LifeWays’ budget, through the review of financial information, including revenues and expenditures, to ensure that fiscal responsibility is maintained.  The Committee is responsible for monitoring the distribution of funding to assist in meeting the requirements of the state and county, as well as the current and future service needs of the community

Executive Committee
Purpose: The Executive Committee provides overall leadership to the Board via establishing committees and work groups as needed, ensuring that nominations, elections and annual meetings are held per the by-laws, and ensuring that the Board is functioning effectively.  It is responsible for supervising and evaluating the Chief Executive and for leadership in the area of strategic planning and making recommendations to the Board for actions in these key areas.  The Executive Committee also sets the agenda for Board development and training.


Recipient Rights Advisory Council
Purpose :  The Recipient Rights Advisory Council acts as an advisory group to the Recipient Rights Director and the Chief Executive Officer. The Committee protects the Office of Recipient Rights from pressures that could interfere with the impartial, even-handed, and thorough performance of its functions.

For more information on the LifeWays Board of Directors or submitting public comment, please contact Karen Cascaddan, LifeWays' CEO & Board Liaison.