CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SPECIAL
HEALTH NEEDS STAKEHOLDER
WORKGROUP
WORKGROUP CHARGE AND OPERATING GUIDELINES
I.
CHARGE
The Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN) Stakeholder Workgroup will inform
the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) CYSHN Program to improve the quality, efficiency,
and effectiveness of the public health role in meeting the needs of CYSHN and their families. The
CYSHN Stakeholder Workgroup will provide strategic leadership for the “Minnesota State
Implementation Grant for Enhancing the System of Services for Children and Youth with Special
Health Care Needs through Systems Integration” (hereby referred to as the CYSHN Systems
Integration Project), and will guide decision-making to achieve a more coordinated system of
services and supports for CYSHN. This includes:
A. Advising on priorities, providing input on the development of strategies, and
identifying resources/supports necessary to implement strategies and achieve
CYSHN Systems Integration Grant goals and objectives, which include:
a. Increasing stakeholder engagement;
b. Improving cross-systems integration and care coordination for CYSHN;
c. Increasing knowledge of services and supports through development of a
“shared resource;” and
d. Enhancing the evaluation of the system of services and supports for CYSHN.
B. Providing guidance on communications, CYSHN and family engagement, and
culturally-appropriate outreach.
C. Developing strategies to identify and share best practices, success stories, and
evidence of local impact.
D. Leading discussions to identify approaches for sustainability of activities and
alignment with related efforts.
II.
AUTHORITY
The CYSHN Stakeholder Workgroup is convened by and reports to the MDH Maternal and Child
Health (MCH) Advisory Task Force, which was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 1982 to
advise the Commissioner of Health on health care services/needs of the maternal and child
health populations in Minnesota, including CYSHN.
The Workgroup shall meet for the duration of the CYSHN Systems Integration Grant (through
August 2017). The MCH Advisory Task Force may choose to extend the timeframe upon
completion of the grant.
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III.
MEMBERSHIP
The CYSHN Stakeholder Workgroup membership shall include key stakeholders involved in the
systems of care for CYSHN, including but not limited to:
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Parents/Families of CYSHN
Member of MDH CYSHN Parent Workgroup
Family Advocacy Organizations
Minnesota Departments of Health, Human Services, and Education
Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Member of Minnesota State Interagency Committee (MnSIC)
Member of Minnesota Interagency Coordinating Council
Member of MDH MCH Advisory Task Force
Local Public Health
Primary Care, Hospitals, and Specialty Care Organizations
CYSHN Service Providers
The Stakeholder Workgroup shall especially include parents/families of CYSHN in its
membership, and shall include appropriate representation from Minnesota’s racial/ethnic and
geographic populations.
IV.
MEETINGS
Frequency: The CYSHN Stakeholder Workgroup shall meet on a quarterly basis. Meetings will be
held in person. Conference call or webinar are available as needed.
Public Meetings: All meetings are open to the public.
V.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Member Responsibilities
Workgroup members will:
A. Attend and actively participate in Workgroup and subgroup meetings.
B. If unable to attend a meeting, arrange to learn what happened in his/her absence.
Members are able to send an alternate representative if they need to miss a meeting.
The CYSHN Staff Representative should be notified prior to the meeting if an alternate
will be attending.
C. Review all materials provided for the CYSHN Stakeholder Workgroup, including agendas,
meeting minutes, and work plans, to assure that stakeholder concerns are included and
prioritized appropriately.
D. Represent the CYSHN Stakeholder Workgroup on subgroups, committees, other
advisory groups.
E. Seek out community input and respond to issues identified by the CYSHN Stakeholder
Workgroup.
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F. Actively contribute in CYSHN program and policy development, implementation, and
evaluation to ensure that programs are culturally responsive and meet the needs of
CYSHN and their families.
G. Respond to communications, requests for information, or feedback from MDH on a
timely basis.
H. Refrain from writing letters or engaging in other kinds of communication in the name of
the CYSHN Stakeholder Workgroup, unless specifically authorized and agreed upon by
the group.
CYSHN Staff Responsibilities
The MDH CYSHN Staff Member assigned to the CYSHN Stakeholder Workgroup will:
A. Serve as a staff liaison between MDH CYSHN Program and CYSHN Stakeholder
Workgroup.
B. Ensure MDH CYSHN Program activities and initiatives are communicated with
Workgroup.
C. Facilitate scheduling and logistics of meetings, including finding a meeting location.
D. Set agenda and distribute to Workgroup members prior to meeting.
E. Provide meeting materials in advance for members to review.
VI.
DECISION-MAKING
Decisions of the Workgroup will be made by consensus, which means that the whole group
consents or can live with the decision (70% comfortable / 100% willing to support). Each
decision will have some members more comfortable on the matter than others. Consensus will
reflect a decision that everyone can live with, after thorough discussion and exchange of ideas.
VII.
RESIGNATION
A Stakeholder Workgroup member may resign at any time by providing written notice of
resignation to the MDH CYSHN Staff designated to the Workgroup. Any such resignation shall
take effect at the time specified by the member.
VIII.
SUBGROUPS / AD HOC GROUPS
The Workgroup may establish ad hoc workgroups to complete specific projects approved by the
Workgroup. All ad hoc groups will report regularly to the Workgroup on their progress.
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