Advisory councils and task forces

Contact the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office to be considered for appointment to a state council, board or commission. Each month a list of vacancies appears at the Office of Secretary of State. An application form also is available on the site. For more information, contact the Secretary of State's Office at 651-297-5845 or email open.appointments@state.mn.us.

www.sos.state.mn.us     open.appointments@state.mn.us

American Indian Mental Health Advisory Council

The American Indian Mental Health Advisory Council advises the DHS Behavioral Health Division on policies and procedures relating to American Indian mental health services and programs in Minnesota. The council is comprised of 15 American Indian individuals representing each of the seven Ojibwe bands and four Dakota communities, and four individuals representing the urban American Indian populations of Duluth, St. Paul and Minneapolis. Representatives are selected for appointment by the governing body of each tribal and urban community.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64981
St. Paul, MN 55164-0981
651-431-2246

Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans

This 15-member commission serves as the principal agency of the state to advocate on behalf of Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing by working to ensure those persons have equal access to the services, programs and opportunities available to others. The board, whose members are appointed by the governor, include seven members who are appointed at large, plus one member from each advisory committee. At least 50 percent of the members must be deaf, deaf blind or hard of hearing. Four or five full commission meetings are held each year with numerous subcommittee meetings. Meetings are usually held in St. Paul at 130 E. Seventh St., with occasional meetings in other cities around the state. Appointing authority: Governor. Compensation: $55 per diem plus expenses. (Minnesota Statutes 256C.28.) Commission website.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64969
St. Paul, MN 55164-0969
651-431-2357

Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) Development and Implementation Council

This 24-member council exists to consult and collaborate with the Minnesota Department of Human Services on the development and eventual implementation of the Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) program, which will replace Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and the Consumer Support Grant (CSG) in Minnesota. Members are passionate about promoting self-direction and working to enhance and improve the quality of services as the program is developed and implemented. The council collaborates with various stakeholders to advance ideas and bring forth concerns that impact successful program development. Over 50% of council members are persons living with a disability, elderly, or their representatives. Four quarterly meetings are held each year. Meetings are currently held remotely via virtual technology. Appointing authority: DHS Commissioner. Compensation: None  (Minnesota Statutes 256B85.) Commission website.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64969
St. Paul, MN 55164-0969
651-502-0317

Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Advisory Committees

Each of the eight Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division offices has a regional advisory committee of consumers, advocates and professionals who work with people who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing. At least half of the members must have a hearing loss or be the parent of a child who has a hearing loss. One member of each regional advisory committee also serves as the regional representative to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Advisory Committees. Appointing authority: Director of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division. Compensation: Mileage and parking expenses.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64969
St. Paul, MN 55164-0969
651-431-5945

Dental Services Advisory Committee

A subcommittee of the Health Services Advisory Council (HSAC), this 13-member group consists of a variety of dental providers, representatives from health plans and public health, health researchers and a health care consumer. The committee provides clinical guidance to enhance the department's ability to design dental care benefit and coverage policies for Minnesota Health Care Programs. Like HSAC, DSAC uses evidence-based research to inform recommendations used to advise the DHS Commissioner on pertinent dental policy topics. Appointing authority: Commissioner of Human Services. Compensation: $200 honorarium plus reimbursement for mileage and parking. (Minnesota Statutes 256B.0625, subd.3c(b) Committee web page.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
PO Box 64984
St. Paul, MN 55164-0984

Dental Home Advisory Committee

The Dental Home Advisory Committee (DHAC) is a subcommittee of the Dental Services Advisory Committee (DSAC). This group consists of specific representatives designated by the Minnesota Legislature. This group is charged with designing a dental home demonstration project and presenting recommendations by Feb. 1, 2022, to the DHS commissioner, the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health finance and policy. (Article 1, Section 33 of the 2021 Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill)

Minnesota Department of Human Services
PO Box 64984
St. Paul, MN 55164-0984

Drug Formulary Committee

The Drug Formulary Committee (DFC) is charged with reviewing and recommending which drugs require authorization. The DFC also reviews drugs for which coverage is optional under federal and state law for possible inclusion in the Medicaid fee-for-service formulary. The DFC is composed of four physicians, at least three pharmacists, a consumer representative and knowledgeable health care professionals. DFC meetings are open to the public. Public comments are taken for an additional 15 days after the DFC recommends requiring prior authorization for a drug. The Department of Human Services provides the DFC with information regarding the impact that placing a drug on authorization will have on the quality and cost of patient care. Appointing authority: Commissioner of Human Services. Compensation: $100 per member per meeting plus mileage (Minnesota Statutes 256B.0625, subd. 13) Committee webpage.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64984
St. Paul, MN 55164-0984
651-431-2510

Drug Utilization Review Board

The Drug Utilization Review (DUR) board selects specific drug entities or therapeutic classes to be targeted for provider and recipient educational interventions, and provides guidelines for their use. The DUR board is composed of four licensed physicians, at least three licensed pharmacists and one consumer representative, with the remaining members being licensed health care professionals with clinically appropriate knowledge in prescribing, dispensing, and monitoring outpatient drugs. DUR board meetings are held four times a year. Appointing authority: Commissioner of Human Services. Compensation: $100 per member per meeting plus mileage. (Minnesota Statutes 256B.0625, subd. 13a) Board web page.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64984
St. Paul, MN 55164-0984
651-431-2505

Early Intensive Development and Behavior Intervention (EIDBI) advisory group

Governor's Task Force on Mental Health

The Governor's Task Force on Mental Health was established to provide the governor and Legislature with comprehensive recommendations to improve Minnesota’s mental health system. Task force website.

Health Services Advisory Council

The 13-member Health Services Advisory Council, made up of physicians, other health care providers, and a consumer representative, provides leadership in designing health care benefit and coverage policies for Minnesota's public health care programs. A particular focus of HSAC is evidence-based coverage policy, in which decisions regarding health care services paid for by public programs are made using the best available research on their effectiveness. Appointing authority: Commissioner of Human Services. Compensation: $200 honorarium plus reimbursement for mileage and parking. (Minnesota Statutes 256B.0625, subd.3c) Council web page.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64984
St. Paul, MN 55164-0984
hsac@state.mn.us

Hospital Review Boards

The boards review admission and retention of patients receiving services within state operated facilities under DHS jurisdiction. Each member must meet specific qualifications to serve on the board. Appointing authority: Commissioner of Human Services. Compensation: Compensation for services and expenses is provided. (Minnesota Statutes 253B.22)

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64979
St. Paul, MN 55164-0979
651-431-3688

Human Services Performance Council

The Human Services Performance Council advises the commissioners of the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families on the implementation and operation of the human services performance management system, a joint effort of the two departments. The system includes county performance management and departmental procedures. The council also provides annual reviews and reports to the Legislature related to human services performance management.   (Minnesota Statutes, section 402A.16).

Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families
444 Lafayette Road N.
St. Paul, MN  55155
dcyf.mn.us/contact-us

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64997
St. Paul, MN 55164-0997
651-431-5780

Institutional Review Board

The board was established to comply with federal regulations that set policy safeguarding and respecting the rights and welfare of individuals involved as human subjects in research conducted at the Department of Human Services. Each member must meet specific qualifications to serve on the board. Appointing authority: Commissioner of Human Services. Compensation: Per diem and expenses. (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, Part 46) Board Web page.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64979
St. Paul, MN 55164-0979
651-431-3688

Long-term Care Advisory Committee

A broad-based stakeholder advisory group on nursing facility issues. It has four subgroups: reimbursement system, staff time measurement study, staffing standards and quality profiles. Appointing authority: DHS staff. Compensation: None. (Minnesota Statutes 256B.439 subd. 1b.)

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64973
St. Paul, MN 55164-0973
651-431-2263

Merit System Council

This council hears personnel appeals, sets policy for administration of examinations, reviews classification and compensation plans and proposed rule changes. Its three members are appointed by the governor. No member may have held political office, been a member of a political organization, an employee of a state agency, or an employee or member of an appointing authority for one year preceding appointment. The council meets approximately three or four times a year. Appointing authority: Governor. Compensation: $50 per diem. (Minnesota Statutes 256.012 and 12.22 subd. 3 and rules.)

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64997
St. Paul, MN 55164-0997
651-431-3030

Minnesota Board on Aging

This 25-member board develops, coordinates, evaluates and administers federal and state funds for programs for the aging; makes grants to 14 area agencies on aging and nonprofit agencies; and serves as advocate for older persons. The board, whose members are appointed by the governor, includes at least one member from each congressional district. Monthly meetings on the third Friday of each month, committee meetings are the preceding day. Appointing authority: Governor. Compensation: $55 per diem. (Minnesota Statutes 256.975.) Minnesota Board on Aging website

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64976
St. Paul, MN 55164-0976
651-431-2500

Minnesota Health Care Financing Task Force

Opioid Prescribing Work Group

The Opioid Prescribing Work Group (OPWG) is an advisory body of experts convened to forward DHS’ Opioid Prescribing Improvement Program (OPIP). The OPIP plays a crucial role in Minnesota’s response to the crisis of prescription opioid misuse and abuse, namely addressing inappropriate prescribing behavior among Minnesota health care providers.

The work group will help shape the program by recommending statewide opioid prescribing protocols for various pain scenarios, such as acute, post-acute, and chronic pain. They will also recommend a quality improvement program within the Minnesota Health Care Programs. The OPIP was created in 2015 at the direction of the governor and the Legislature, and the OPWG is convened through 2017.

Appointing authority: Commissioner of Human Services. Compensation: $200 honorarium plus reimbursement for mileage and parking. (Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0638). OPWG web page

Minnesota Department of Human Services
PO Box 64983
St. Paul, MN 55164-0983
dhs.opioid@state.mn.us

Special Needs BasicCare (SNBC) Advisory Committee

An advisory committee on managed care for seniors and people with disabilities called Special Needs Purchasing meets at various times during the year. Materials presented at the previous meetings are available.

State Advisory Council on Mental Health

This 30-member council advises the governor, the Legislature and state agencies about policy, programs and services affecting people with mental illness. The council includes a designee of the assistant commissioner of mental health for DHS, a representative of DHS responsible for the Medical Assistance program, one member from each of the four core mental health professional disciplines (psychiatry, psychology, social work, nursing) and one representative from each of the following advocacy groups: Mental Health Association of Minnesota, Minnesota Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Minnesota Disability Law Center, Minnesota Consumer/Survivor Network. Additional members are providers of mental health services, consumers of mental health services, family members of persons with mental illnesses, legislators, social service agency directors, county commissioners, and others who reflect a broad range of community interest as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services may prescribe by regulation or as may be selected by the governor. Meetings are held monthly. Appointing authority: Governor. Compensation: $55 per diem plus expenses. (Minnesota Statutes 245.697.) Council website

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64981
St. Paul, MN 55164-0981
651-431-2249

State Quality Council

The Minnesota State Quality Council, in collaboration with DHS, exists to support a system of quality assurance and improvement of services for people with disabilities. The council works collaboratively with all affected parties to achieve measurable positive outcomes in health and welfare for people with disabilities. The council is committed to a system that is person-directed, outcome-based, quality-driven and cost-effective. Members include people who receive services and their family members, disability advocates, Region 10 Quality Assurance Commission, providers, county agencies, staff from the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities and DHS. (Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.097).

State Quality Council
P.O. Box 64967
St. Paul, MN 55164-0967
651-431-2386

State Innovation Model (SIM) Community Advisory Task Force

The State Innovation Model (SIM) Community Advisory Task Force provides strategic direction for, engages in, and champions the Minnesota Accountable Health Model. Activities include advising on priorities, providing input on the development of strategies, and identifying resources and support necessary to implement strategies and achieve SIM goals; providing guidance on communications, consumer engagement and culturally appropriate outreach; discussing strategies for integration of services and alignment of approaches; providing guidance on opportunities to leverage or build upon existing investments in technical infrastructure; offering guidance and assistance in educating communities on new models of care delivery and strategies for patient engagement; developing strategies to identify and share best practices, success stories and evidence of local impact; and guiding discussions to identify approaches for continuous improvement. Appointing authority: commissioners of the state departments of Health and of Human Services. (Minnesota Statutes section 15.014).

State Innovation Model (SIM) Community Advisory Task Force
Minnesota Department of Human Services
540 Cedar St.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-431-7297

State Innovation Model (SIM) Multi-Payer Alignment Task Force

The SIM Multi-Payer Alignment Task Force engages a mix of public and commercial payers to create and improve health care in Minnesota. The task force identifies financial incentives, measures and goals for health outcomes and cost reduction. Membership includes trade associations for self-insured employers representative; seven health plans/insurance carriers, private insurers and county-based purchasing plans representatives; two local government or association of local government payers or insurance pools representatives; one self-insured employers representative. In addition to members appointed through this process, the commissioner shall designate members from the following payers: State Employees Group Insurance Program (SEGIP), Medicare, Medicaid and the University of Minnesota. Appointing authority: commissioners of the state departments of Health and of Human Services. (Minnesota Statutes section 15.014).

State Innovation Model (SIM) Multi-Payer Alignment Task Force
Minnesota Department of Human Services
540 Cedar St.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-431-7297

Subcommittee on Children’s Mental Health

The 31-member subcommittee makes recommendations to the advisory council on policies, law regulations and services relating to children's mental health. Its membership includes the commissioners or designees of departments of Commerce, Corrections, Education and Human Services; representatives of children's mental health advocacy groups; providers of children's mental health services (preadolescent, adolescent, and hospital-based); parents of children who have emotional disturbances; a present or former consumer of adolescent mental health services; educators currently working with emotionally disturbed children; people knowledgeable about the needs of emotionally disturbed children of minority races and cultures; people experienced in working with emotionally disturbed children who have committed status offenses; members of the advisory council; social service representatives; county commissioners; one representative of the local corrections system; and one representative from the Minnesota District Judges Association Juvenile Committee. Meetings are held once a month. Appointing authority: State Advisory Council on Mental Health. Compensation: $55 per diem plus expenses. (Minnesota Statutes 245.697, subd. 2a.) Subcommittee website

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64981
St. Paul, MN 55164-0981
651-431-2249

Traumatic Brain Injury State Advisory Committee

The 30-member Traumatic Brain Injury State Advisory Committee advises the commissioner regarding policies, program and service needs of and potential models for service delivery for people with traumatic brain injury. Committee members are appointed for a one or two-year term and must include people with brain injury, family members, advocates and professionals. Meetings are held six times per year. Appointing authority: Commissioner of Human Services. Compensation: Expenses. (Minnesota Statutes 256B.093) Committee Web page.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64967
St. Paul, MN 55164-0967
651-431-2400
800-747-5484