Sponsor: Social Services
Title
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Name Change of the Chemical Health Committee
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Recommendation
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Approve the name change of the Citizens Advisory Committee - Chemical Health Committee to Substance Use and Recovery Committee
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Background and Rationale
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For six months, the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Chemical Health Committee has engaged in name change conversations because the term “chemical health” is outdated and not seen as a strength-based name. Furthermore, chemical health can be a broad term that does not define the committee’s focus. As one of our residents described it, “referring to ‘recovery’ reflects a sense of a new well-being, hope, work yet to do, and a lifelong effort toward healing from a disease as well as all the wrap around considerations.”
The committee has therefore decided to change its name from Chemical Health Committee to Substance Use and Recovery Committee.
According to Section 2 of the Citizen Advisory Council Bylaws, a committee name change must be approved by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners. A motion to accept the name change of the committee from “Chemical Health Committee” to Substance Use and Recovery Committee was passed unanimously by the Chemical Health Committee members on September 15, 2021.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Although the name change does not inheritably promote racial equity, it does promote a more holistic view to substance use and the recovery community, which is often viewed with a negative lens. Furthermore, those most negatively affected in this community are those of color, predominately Black community members who have been targeted and imprisoned by the so called “war on drugs” while Whites face more lenient sentencing and aids.
The Chemical Health Committee understands these complexities and continues to recruit residents from various communities, engage with diverse residents, and see opportunities where Social Services can better serve the Black and Brown communities.
Community Participation Level and Impact
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☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☒ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The name change will have no fiscal impact on the committee or Social Services. Funding for flyers or any other advertising media for the committee is available in the Social Services budget.
County Manager Comments
No additional comments.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. None.