NASW member Terry L. Cross, executive director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association based in Portland, Ore., has been appointed to the National Advisory Council of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The National Advisory Council is a 12-member panel of experts that meets regularly to advise the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and SAMHSA's administrator on a wide range of public health matters related to prevention, treatment and recovery support services.

Cross is an adjunct assistant professor at Portland State University School of Social Work and an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians. He is also a member of the National Congress of American Indians. Cross served as a delegate to the White House Conference on Mental Health.

In a statement announcing seven new appointments to the Advisory Council, SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline said, "We are honored these distinguished leaders have agreed to serve on our Advisory Council. These diverse backgrounds and experience will help inform our work at SAMHSA to improve the capacity and effectiveness of the mental health and substance abuse service delivery systems that promote prevention, treatment and recovery."

SAHMSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation's substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment and mental health services delivery system.