The Curry County Board of Commissioners recently passed Ordinance 19-12 which, effective January 14, 2020, amends the Curry County Code and creates a Suicide Prevention and Awareness Council.
The Council will consist of members of agencies and societal segments that are impacted by, provide for, and influence awareness, prevention, and suicidal attempts. The Council shall be comprised of seventeen members.
Membership shall include a representative from the following: law enforcement officer; first responder (i.e. EMT, Fire); medical (doctor, nurse, hospital board member, community care organization); youth education; trained social worker, therapist, counselor, or peer support; substance abuse/recovery; elder services; juvenile programming; veterans programming or services; a city mayor or administrator; tribal community; faith based community; one youth ambassador; media; and three lay people.
Council membership is a four-year term, except the youth ambassador which shall serve a one year term. All members shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Curry County Board of Commissioners. Once at least nine members have been appointed, the Council shall convene a meeting. At that meeting, lots or straws will be drawn to determine position numbers.
Position numbers shall have staggered terms so that Position One serves for one year; Position Two serves for two years; and Position Three serves for three years; Positions Four and Five serve for four years. After the initial term, all positions, with the exception of the youth ambassador, shall be four-year terms. Appointments shall expire on December 31st of the appropriate year.
The Curry County Suicide Prevention and Awareness Council shall develop and recommend to the agencies that serve within the county, and to the public, plans and tools to provide for and influence the prevention and awareness of suicide in Curry County. Duties include but are not limited to the study of preventing suicide, plans for the prevention of suicide, and informing agencies and the general public of resources and plans to bring awareness to suicides in the county.
Interested residents are encouraged to apply. Applications can be found at the Curry County website: www.co.curry.or.us. Or a paper application can be attained by calling 541-247-3296.
Applications are due not later than January 16, 2020.
