About SCHSAC
SCHSAC (pronounced shak) is a nonpartisan group of elected officals and public health leaders from all regions of Minnesota. SCHSAC is comprised of:
- Tribal leaders
- County commissioners and city council members
- Tribal and local public health leaders
Members meet quarterly with the Commissioner of Health to discuss and give recommendations on public health-related issues that are important locally and statewide. Between quarterly meetings, SCHSAC members in workgroups collaborate to address critical and emerging priorities to help create a more seamless, responsive, and publicly-supported public health system.
On this page:
At a glance
Membership and meetings
Map of SCHSAC regions
Responsibilities of members and alternates
Contact us
At a glance
The State Community Health Services Advisory Committee was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 1976 as a component of the Local Public Health Act.
The purpose of SCHSAC, as described in the Local Public Health Act, is to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Commissioner of Health on matters relating to the development, funding, and evaluation of community health services in Minnesota.
In 2026, the Minnesota Legislature expanded SCHSAC membership to include Tribes who wish to join.
SCHSAC meets four times per year; an Executive Committee meets more frequently:
- Agendas and other materials are made available prior to meetings.
- Meetings are a mix of hybrid, virtual, and in-person.
- The commissioner of health and MDH Executive Office staff attend meetings whenever possible.
- Members are reimbursed for travel and parking; lunches are provided at in-person meetings.
- SCHSAC develops an annual work plan to focus activities; much of the work plan is accomplished through smaller workgroups.
SCHSAC workgroups engage in problem solving and policy development and submit recommendations to the health commissioner. Recommendations are adopted by community health boards, implemented statewide through guidelines, used as basis for developing local and state policy.
- Tribal and local public health leaders across Minnesota support and sustain SCHSAC through commitment and active participation.
- SCHSAC informs policy development, strengthens state-local relationships and communication, and builds support for public health.
- Member local elected officials, Tribal leaders, and public health directors and administrators embody the commitment to protecting, maintaining, and improving health of all people across Minnesota.
SCHSAC and workgroup goals and objectives for 2025-2026 are outlined in the following documents:
Membership and meetings
SCHSAC is comprised of one representative and one alternate from each community health board in Minnesota. Members are largely elected officials and public health directors and administrators. Tribal Nations who share geography with Minnesota are invited to appoint a member and alternate.
Roster: Roster of SCHSAC members, alternates, and workgroups
Map: SCHSAC Regions (PDF)
The main body of SCHSAC meets quarterly with the commissioner of health. Each community health board selects one person to represent their board on SCHSAC, and one alternate. Each Tribal Nation across Minnesota is invited to select one person to represent their Nation on SCHSAC, and one alternate. The 11-member SCHSAC Executive Committee consists of representatives from all regions of the state.
SCHSAC conducts a majority of its work through workgroups and subcommittees, which meet between SCHSAC's main quarterly meetings. Each workgroup usually meets for one to three years, depending on its charge and duties. These workgroups identify, discuss, recommend responses to critical public health issues, and consist of SCHSAC members and other subject matter experts.
Responsibilities of members and alternates
Members and alternates are expected:
- To attend SCHSAC meetings and other assigned meetings
- To serve on workgroups, subcommittees, and review groups as requested by the chair
- To prepare for active participation in discussion and decision-making by consulting with their community health boards and community health services staff or Tribal leadership and Tribal health departments, and by reviewing meeting materials
- To act as the liaison between the community health board or Tribal government and SCHSAC
- To inform the community health board or Tribal government and the alternate member on SCHSAC activities and actions
Contact us
If you have questions or comments, or would like to know more about SCHSAC, please contact the MDH Center for Public Health Practice at health.schsac@state.mn.us.