Orientation Information on the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force

Printer-friendly version [PDF: 56 KB/2 pages]

PURPOSE

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Advisory Task Force was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 1982 (Mn Stat 145.88) to advise (by reviewing and reporting to) the Commissioner of Health on:

  • The health care needs of mothers and children throughout Minnesota;
  • The type, frequency and impact of MCH services provided under existing MCH care programs administered by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH);
  • Program guidelines and criteria considered essential to providing an effective MCH care program to low-income populations and high risk persons and fulfilling the purposes of the state and federal MCH statutes;
  • The use of federal and state MCH funds administered through MDH, including the award of MCH grant funds;
  • Priorities for funding the essential MCH services in statute; and
  • The process to distribute, award, and administer the federal MCH block grant in Minnesota.
MEMBERSHIP

Fifteen members, five each representing MCH professionals, MCH consumers, and Community Health Boards (Mn Stat 145A.02) are appointed by the Commissioner of Health to four year terms. Eight of the terms are coterminous with the governor's term (ending in early January) and seven end one year later. Applications are made through the Secretary of State's Office of Open Appointments.

Due to the expansive scope of maternal and child health services and the need to assure representation from key partners with specific expertise, the Task Force also has a number of ex-officio task force members. Currently, the members represent the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Minnesota Department of Education, the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, the University of Minnesota Department of Pediatrics, Medica, and the Minnesota Chapter of the March of Dimes. A membership list for the current year is available on this website membership list. (See Task Force Operating Procedures, for more detail on membership.)

MEETING SCHEDULE
By statute the full Task Force must meet four times a year. The calendar of meetings is established at the beginning of each calendar year. Work group meetings may also be scheduled, depending on the work plan. Generally, the full Task Force meetings are scheduled from 9:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m.
MEETING REIMBURSEMENT
Lunch is provided to members. Expenses members incur to attend these meetings are reimbursed; however, no per diem is provided.
STAFFING AND SUPPORT
The Task Force is staffed by DeeAnn Finley, MCH Principal Planner in the MCH/MCYSHN Section.  Agendas, minutes of the previous meeting, and meeting materials are posted on the MCH Advisory Task Force website approximately ten days prior to each meeting.
MEETING AGENDAS
The agenda for each meeting generally includes remarks by the Commissioner of Health or his designate, such as the Assistant Commissioner, a report from the Community and Family Health Division Director's Office, and reports from Task Force work groups and related committees. Updates on MCH-related activities at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Minnesota Department of Education, and the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health are also included. Topical and program presentations and discussions offer members the latest information on programs and an opportunity to member to provide input on program development. The current year's calendar of meetings also appears under the year's designation on this website.
ANNUAL WORK PLAN
The Task Force annual work plan includes activities specific to maternal and child health priorities of current year. Each year the Task Force and the Commissioner of Health also award the Betty Hubbard MCH Leadership Awards to individuals for work of statewide significance and work at the community level.
ANNUAL REPORT
Each year the Task Force presents a brief annual report of activities, projects and concerns to the Commissioner of Health. The annual report is based on the work plan and includes suggestions for future Task Force involvement. Other reports may be prepared on specific topics as requested by the Commissioner of Health and/or determined necessary by the Task Force in consultation with MDH staff.
FEDERAL MCH BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION AND ANNUAL REPORT
The Maternal and Child Health Block Grant application is Minnesota's application to the federal government for federal Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant funding. It contains a report of expenditures and activities conducted in the current year, and budget and activity plans proposed for next year.The report and plan components are organized by 18 federal performance measures and 10 state discretionary performance measures. Data tables demonstrate the progress Minnesota is making toward its performance measures. The document also describes the process, data, and priorities of a five year needs assessment, which will guide administration of the program for the next five years. The MDH will provide a progress report on the Title V Block Grant to the Task Force annually.