Office of Lifespan Health Advisory Committee

Guiding Principles

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

Collaborate with state OLH staff to:

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

To achieve these goals, advisor member activities may include:

• Informing and advising the state OLH staff on real and anticipated impacts upon health status because of changes in federal, state, and local legislation, policy and funding.
• Providing input on the development of needs assessments and priority areas for the OLH programs.
• Researching and providing input on any issue relating to the health of SD populations.
• Identifying solutions for OLH special needs and priorities through the promotion of public awareness, the coordination of existing services, and the encouragement of new resource development.
• Reviewing OLH program materials and providing feedback prior to distribution.

The OLH AC will consist of one Advisory Committee Chair who will lead the committee and eight other members. Membership will be composed of individuals with experience utilizing services provided by the Office of Lifespan Health (OLH) programs and health professionals which may include; a school or adolescent health representative; a Tribal or IHS representative; a member of a rural or frontier community; a member of existing community groups serving maternal child health populations; an individual interested in the health of mothers and children. 

Member Roles:

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

Chair Roles:

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

The OLH AC members will:

• Meet monthly for 1 hour. There may be one in-person meeting per year.
• Spend up to 3 hours per month participating in orientation, training, preparing and reviewing documents, attending meetings, or providing input/feedback. 

The OLH Advisory Committee Chair will:

• Meet monthly with the OLH Administrator
• Spend 20 hours per month engaged in OLH 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.