Public Health Advisory Committee Charter

Background

Clackamas County Public Health Division (CCPHD) provides an array of services and programs aimed at protecting and promoting the health of the residents of our county. One of the major responsibilities of the division is to create partnerships to work collaboratively in addressing health issues. One way to engage community members is through the Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC).

The PHAC provides a sounding board and a community voice in the review and revision of public health programs, strategies and goals. The PHAC assures a needed link to community input into implementing the Community Health Improvement Plan and in assuring alignment with standards addressing community partnerships. The PHAC also convenes as the Ethics Committee for the Clackamas County Public Health Division.

Function/Roles of the PHAC

The purpose of the committee is to provide the voice of the community to CCPHD and a forum for the discussion of population health issues that impact Clackamas County residents. Some of the functions of the PHAC include:

  • Advise the Public Health Division Director and staff in the development of activities, strategies and priorities to achieve community health improvement goals.
  • Review reports, planning documents and publications. Make recommendations to assure alignment with public health goals and standards.
  • Link public health programs and services to the broad cross-section of populations throughout the county.
  • Promote public health initiatives and activities. Participate in community education and engagement.
  • Deliberate as an ethic committee. Review and discuss community-based public health ethics issues occurring within the county.
  • Advocate Active engagement in policy and systems change, including some degree of persuasion. Such engagement tactics may include: education of decision makers and the public, technical support (e.g., providing model ordinances; data and evidence), and implementation efforts. These advocacy efforts need to be distinguished from the more legal definitions of “lobbying”.
  • Policy Advocacy is the process of negotiating and mediating a dialogue through which influential networks, opinion leaders, and ultimately, decision makers take ownership of your ideas, evidence, and proposals, and subsequently act upon them.

Membership and Composition of the PHAC

The committee will not exceed 20 members that represent: the business community, consumers, faith-based organizations, food/nutrition, healthcare organizations, non-profit organizations, government agencies, schools/education and youth/students. Clackamas County employees are not eligible to serve.

PHAC members currently serve staggered 3-year membership terms. Memberships have no limits and may be renewed upon completion of a member’s term. Strong efforts are made by the committee to solicit new members from various geographic areas and communities, and will be representative of a variety of industries and priority populations within the county. The Public Health Division Director makes a formal recommendation to the H3S Director of any new PHAC members. Members are not appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.

The following is the committee’s current membership:


Affiliation (number)
PHAC Members END OF TERM
Business Community Vacant  
Consumer Vacant  
Faith-based Vacant  
Food/Nutrition Emily Balius, Oregon Food Bank November 2022
Healthcare Organization Michael Anderson-Nathe, Health Share of Oregon

 

 

May 2021
  Molly Haynes, Kaiser Permanente

 

 

November 2020
Non-Profit Organization Eric Johnston, Todos Juntos November 2020
  Debra Mason, Clackamas Service Center May 2021
Government Agencies Steve Campbell, City of Happy Valley May 2021
  Kim Swan, Clackamas River Water May 2021
Schools/Education Allison Myers, Oregon State University, School of Public Health  May 2022
  Michael Ralls, North Clackamas School District November 2020
  Jarett Gilbert, Clackamas Community College May 2021
Youth/Student Vacant  
Public Health Programs Manager CCPHD Staff
Public Health Director Interim, Rich Swift 
Health Officer Dr. Sarah Present
Assistant Public Health Director Julie Aalbers, Philip Mason-Joyner 
PHAC Coordinator Susan Berns-Norman
Public Health Program Managers Julie Hamilton (Environmental Health) 
Anna Summer (Infectious Disease Control and Prevention) 
Kim La Croix (Access to Care, including WIC, vaccines) 
Sherry Olson (Finance, Budget) 
Paola Soles (Administration) 

Meetings and Commitments

Committee meetings are held at least every other month for an hour and half at various locations across Clackamas County. Members are encouraged to spend additional time outside of meetings reading current public health literature, preparing for Advisory Committee meetings, and building partners to support implementation of the Community Health Improvement Plan. All members of the committee will serve without compensation. CCPHD will be expected to provide administrative coordination and preparation for committee meetings.

Attendance

A minimum of six meetings will be held a year.  One of these meetings will be an Ethics Deliberation. Members shall attend four or more meeting

Phone:503-742-5300
Fax:503-742-5352

2051 Kaen Road Suite 367 Oregon City, OR 97045

Office Hours:

Monday to Thursday
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.