MCH Advisory Committee

The MCH AC will consist of one Advisory Committee Chair who will lead the committee and eight other members. Four members will be individuals with experience utilizing services provided by SD Maternal Child Health (MCH) programs. The other five members must be in one of these categories: health professional; school or adolescent health representative; Tribal or IHS representative; member of a rural or frontier community; member of existing community groups serving maternal child health populations; individual interested in the health of mothers and children. 

Collaborate with state MCH leaders to:

1. Engage MCH populations statewide.
2. Provide recommendations and feedback on relevant MCH programs.
3. Assist in the evaluation of MCH programs.

To achieve these goals, activities may include:

• Inform and advise the state MCH leaders on real and anticipated impacts upon health status because of changes in federal, state and local legislation, policy and funding.
• Provide input on the development of the MCH needs assessment and development of priority areas for the MCH programs.
• Research and provide input on any issue relating to the health of the MCH population.
• Identify solutions for MCH special needs and priorities through promotion of public awareness, coordination of existing services, and encouragement of new resource development.
• Provide an annual report. 

Please take a moment to acquaint yourself with these important guidelines.

• Members will fully participate where possible -- community growth depends on the inclusion of every individual voice.
• Gather information or do work outside of meetings to move the process along, as needed.
• Topics, discussions, and work reflect public health issues pertinent to MCH populations.
• Members contribute to the MCH AC through their experiences, skills, and time.

The duties of the Advisory Committee Chair will include but are not limited to:

• Liaison between the MCH Director and the MCH AC.
• Collaborate with the MCH leaders to draft the MCH AC agendas.
• Develop reporting structure and committee roles for the MCH AC members.
• With approval from the MCH Director speak on behalf of the MCH AC with other MCH stakeholders.
• Write a yearly MCH AC report to the MCH Director.    

The MCH AC members will:

• Meet bi-monthly from January to May 2025 virtually for 1 – 1.5 hours. There may be one in-person meeting per year.
• Spend 3 hours per month preparing and reviewing documents, attending meetings, or providing input/feedback.
• Provide reasonable notice of all meetings, stating the time and place.

The MCH Advisory Committee Chair will:

• Meet monthly with the MCH Director
• Spend 20 hours per month engaged in MCH AC organization and coordination, reviewing documents, writing documents, attending meetings, or providing input/feedback.  
• Provide reasonable notice of all meetings, stating the time and place. 

Guiding Principles

• Operate around the following governance principles: participation, transparency, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness and efficiency.
• Be open to all with an interest and who abide by community norms.

Decision-Making

Advisory guidance and opinions will be recorded for each committee member. Members will engage in committee discussion, and vote on specific topics, or provide general advice or guidance on program implementation.

Ground Rules for Being a Member

Members are encouraged to openly discuss and share relevant resources and materials that will advance understanding of MCH issues impacting members. The inclusion of all diverse members' perspectives is critical for community growth. 

Members of this community will:

1. Be courteous, respectful, and considerate of fellow community members.
2. Encourage a collaborative environment that welcomes diversity and inclusion through open and thoughtful discourse.
3. Refrain from harassing, discriminatory, or derogatory speech, conduct, and materials.
4. Respectfully challenge one another but refrain from personal attacks.
5. Try new ideas and perspectives and approach new ideas with an open mind.
6. Commit to finding consensus and creative solutions.
7. Discussions and resources shared will remain relevant to the community’s public health focus and mission.
8. Obtain approval before distributing materials or promoting services from which the member could financially or politically gain.
9. Disclose any personal or professional conflicts of interest that may impact participation in the community.
10. Keep confidential any information or experiences of a sensitive or personal nature shared by members.