The State Community Health Services Advisory Committee, or SCHSAC, was created in 1976 to advise the health
commissioner and provide guidance on the development, maintenance, financing, and evaluation of community health
services in Minnesota. In Minnesota, public health responsibilities are shared between state and local governments, and
requires strong communication and coordination between the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and local public
health agencies.
SCHSAC is a statutorily defined advisory group, and comprised of
one representative from each of Minnesota’s 50 community health
boards. These members are largely local elected officials and local
public health directors and administrators.
Members meet quarterly with the health commissioner to discuss
public health issues of mutual interest, and develop collaborative
solutions to protect, maintain, and improve health statewide.
Workgroups consisting of SCHSAC members and subject matter
experts meet between meetings, to identify, discuss, and
recommend responses to critical public health issues. SCHSAC also
sponsors, in partnership with MDH, an annual conference for local
elected officials; local and tribal public health administrators,
directors, and staff; community-based organizational leadership
and staff; MDH leadership and staff; and other public health
professionals.
SCHSAC influences public health across the state, engaging in
problem solving and policy development. SCHSAC
recommendations are submitted to the health commissioner,
adopted by community health boards, implemented statewide
through guidelines, and used as the basis for developing local and state policy.
Minnesota’s public health leaders support and sustain SCHSAC, and in their commitment and active participation,
inform policy development, strengthen state-local relationships and communication, and build support for public
health around the state. These local elected officials and public health directors and administrators embody the state’s
commitment to protecting, maintaining, and improving the health of all Minnesotans.
More information: www.health.state.mn.us/schsac
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As of January 1, 2014.