Accountability requirements for the Local Public Health Act

Community health boards have statutory responsibility under the Local Public Health Act. There are two components to compliance: statutory requirements, and performance-related accountability requirements.

Community health boards must:

• Identify local public health priorities and implement activities to address those priorities and the areas of public health responsibility;
• Submit a community health assessment and community health improvement plan (at least every five years);
• Implement a performance management process; and
• Annually report on a set of performance measures.

The Local public health assessment and planning cycle helps community health boards complete community health assessments and community health improvement plans, and Local Public Health Act annual reporting ensures community health boards can use accurate information to improve public health.

The Local Public Health Act (Minn. Stat. § 145A.131) outlines the accountability requirements for community health boards. Compliance is a requirement for community health boards accepting Local Public Health Grant funds.

Statutory requirements

Community health boards must meet all of the duties outlined in Minn. Stat. § 145A.03-04. To report that it meets these statutory requirements, a community health board will have already answered a set of questions during LPH Act annual reporting.

Specifically, the statutory requirements are:

• Meet the composition requirements specified in Minn. Stat. § 145A.03
• Hold at least two community health board meetings per year
• Have, in place, written procedures for transacting business; and keep a public record of transactions, findings, and determinations, as required by Minn. Stat. § 145A.03, subd. 5
• Employ/contract with a CHS administrator who meets the qualification requirements of Minn. Rule 4736.0110
• Employ/contract with a medical consultant in accordance with Minn. Stat. § 145A.04, subd. 2a

Due: March 31, 2022

For 2021, each community health board will facilitate a discussion among CHS administrators, public health directors, and staff at a variety of levels and program areas, and submit the findings to MDH.

MDH asks each community health board to reflect on the past year and a half, exploring what we've learned and how this knowledge informs and influences a community health board's ability to carry out foundational public health capabilities.

• What to ask: Consider using the guiding questions found at Guiding questions for 2021 performance-related accountability requirement discussion (PDF).
• Who to include: The discussion should include CHS administrators, public health directors, and staff from a variety of levels and program areas, to provide a comprehensive perspective.
• Time commitment: Understanding that the amount of time will vary, estimate 1.5 to 2 hours for this discussion.
• Deliverable: Submit a report of the responses or themes to health.ophp@state.mn.us no later than March 31, 2022. Use your own format, or base your report's format on the guiding questions document above.

MDH selected this as the 2021 requirement because understanding the challenges and opportunities community health boards have faced will help inform the 21st century public health work to strengthen governmental public health. This activity aligns with PHAB Standard 5.3: Develop and implement an organizational strategic plan.

Staff are available to attend regional meetings, to provide additional information and answer your questions. You can also reach out to your public health system consultant with questions.