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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Manual

National Council of Public Health - Charter

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
Rockville, Maryland 20857

Refer to: OPHS

INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE CIRCULAR NO. 25-01
Sec.
1. Purpose
2. Structure
3. Membership
4. Executive Leadership Committee
5. Nominations
6. Appointments
7. Vacancies
8. Roles
9. Resignations
10. Votes
11. Relationships
12. Responsibilities
13. Meetings
14. Supersedure
15. Effective Date
  1. PURPOSE.  The purpose of the National Council of Public Health (NCPH) is to support improved health outcomes in American Indian and Alaska Native communities by conducting disease surveillance, building an epidemiology workforce, providing community health education, addressing zoonotic diseases, and responding to any emerging disease that may impact American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

    The NCPH promotes a collaborative, one-health approach to the Indian Health Service (IHS) with the goal of reducing health disparities and recognizing the connection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. The NCPH prioritizes and builds a foundation of trust that strengthens collaboration, coordination, and communication in preparation for and response to public health challenges in Tribal communities.

    The NCPH focuses on preventing emerging infectious diseases, pandemic preparedness and response, disease surveillance, health education, environmental interconnection, and disease prevention to prevent and slow the spread of diseases by partnering with the community and building public health capacity at the community level.

  2. STRUCTURE.  The NCPH is a permanent Council of the IHS.
  3. MEMBERSHIP.  The NCPH is comprised of Federal employees who are IHS subject matter experts in the fields of Public Health, Clinical, Epidemiological, Environmental and Occupational, Zoonotic, Dental, and Population health to prevent and respond to public health challenges in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, including but not limited to National Combined Council (NCC) members of the National Council of Chief Medical Officers, National Pharmacy Council, National Council for Behavioral Health, National Council of Chief Executive Officers, National Oral Health Council, National Council of Chief Clinical Consultants, National Nurse Leadership Council, and National Council of Clinical Directors.
  4. THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE.  The Executive Leadership Committee (ELC) of the NCPH consists of a Chairperson and Subcommittee Chairs from the Epidemiology Committee, the Health and Wellness Committee, and the Environmental Committee.
  5. NOMINATIONS.  Nominations for Chairperson and ELC Subcommittee Chairs will be accepted from NCPH members.  The NCPH Chairperson and ELC Subcommittee Chairs will develop a list of nominations for the NCPH Chairperson and ELC Subcommittee Chairs based on their qualification, experience, and leadership ability.  The nominations will be forwarded to the IHS Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
  6. APPOINTMENTS.  The IHS CMO will appoint the NCPH Chairperson and ELC Subcommittee Chairs.  Each position will serve for two years and may be reappointed for additional terms at the discretion of the IHS CMO.
  7. VACANCIES.  If an appointed ELC position is vacated during the year, the position will be filled by a NCPH member based on self-appointment and CMO agreement.
  8. ROLES.
    1. Chief Medical Officer, IHS.  The IHS CMO provides overall direction and sets priorities for the NCPH.
    2. Director, Office of Public Health Support, IHS.  The Office of Public Health Support (OPHS) Director assists with coordinating an operating plan to include support for in-person meetings, manages logistical staff support, and serves as the liaison between the NCPH and the IHS CMO.  The OPHS Director, or his/her designee, serves as the IHS Headquarters Advisor to the NCPH.
    3. Chair.  The Chair will lead and direct activities of the NCPH by developing an annual work plan and strategic direction for long-term aims as set forth by the IHS CMO.
    4. Subcommittee Chair.  The Subcommittee Chair will fulfill the Chair’s responsibilities in the absence of the Chair at meetings and serve as the Leader of the Subcommittees (Epidemiology, Health and Wellness, and Environmental).  The Subcommittees are intended to be complementary and supportive, with established services already provided by IHS offices and divisions.  To ensure that subcommittee activities effectively support or enhance existing programs, accurately frame issues, and address program considerations, the Subcommittee Chair will coordinate plans and activities with, and engage with, offices and divisions related to their respective Subcommittee initiatives.
  9. RESIGNATIONS.  Members may submit notices of resignation in writing to the appointed NCPH members.  The appointed NCPH members may recommend the replacement of any member with three (3) consecutive unexcused absences, at which time the appointed NCPH Chair may designate an acting member or lead as needed until a volunteer for the role can be secured.
  10. VOTES.
    1. Quorum.  A quorum is a majority (of 1) of the NCPH membership, and the Subcommittee Chairs.
    2. Vote on Motions.  A simple majority of votes will determine the acceptance or rejection of a given motion.  In the event of a tie vote, the NCPH Chair will vote for the motion to proceed or not proceed.  If a quorum is not reached, voting on motions will be deferred until the next meeting.
  11. RELATIONSHIPS.
    1. Chartered National IHS Professional Councils.  The NCPH Chair and Subcommittee Chairs will coordinate and communicate with national executive committees of other NCCs on program issues, action items, or policies of mutual concern.
    2. Established IHS, Tribal, or Urban Indian Health Program Entities and Groups. The NCPH may be asked to participate with other councils, Tribal and Urban Indian Health boards, IHS Headquarters Offices, or workgroups as directed by the Director, IHS or as needed to fulfill NCPH obligations.

  12. RESPONSIBILITIES.

    1. Director, OPHS.  It is the responsibility of the OPHS Director to:
      1. Ensure the IHS Director, IHS CMO, and other key IHS management are kept informed of NCPH activities and findings.
      2. Keep the NCPH informed of decisions or concerns made by IHS Leadership, including the IHS Director and CMO, and/or national priorities from other Federal agencies, departments, or offices related to the NCPH activities.
      3. Provide coordination among NCPH members regarding NCPH-related activities and other Federal, Tribal, and urban Indian key stakeholders.
      4. Ensure a budget is set aside for the travel of NCPH ELC members.
      5. Meeting minutes, agendas, scheduling conference call lines and virtual meetings, and other support items will be completed for the NCPH Chair and ELC Subcommittee Chairs.
    2. Chair.    It is the Chair's responsibility to:
      1. Preside over all meetings and conference calls.
      2. Establish and activate ad hoc subgroups to research, take action, and report on specific NCPH concerns.
      3. Coordinate tasks and reports among ad hoc committees and subgroups.
      4. Develop and present position statements and recommendations to IHS senior leadership for approval.
      5. Represent the position(s) of the NCPH at IHS leadership meetings or other meetings, as required.
      6. Coordinate tasks and reports among NCPH members.
    3. ELC Subcommittee Chair.  It is the responsibility of each of the 3 Subcommittee Chairs to:
      1. Establish overall long- and short-term goals, objectives, and priorities to meet the needs of the American Indian and Alaska Native communities in collaboration with the ELC members.
      2. Assume the duties of the Chair in the event of his or her absence.
      3. Serve in any capacity as requested by the Chair.
    4. Workgroup Leads.  The ELC will designate workgroups and primary leads and/or co-leads to provide direction to individual meetings outside the NCPH to accomplish the annual work plan and set strategic directions to accomplish the goals and objectives outlined in the NCPH annual work plan.  Workgroup leads and/or co-leads will be designated to workgroups based on the annual work plan.

      Workgroup domains: 

      1. Epidemiology and Workforce
      2. Environmental
      3. Health Promotion and Wellness
    5. Members.  It is the member's responsibility to:
      1. Attend and participate in regular council and NCC meetings.
      2. Participate in setting the IHS strategic action agenda as it related to NCPH.
      3. Promote common understanding and implementation of the current Agency priorities, initiatives, and direction at an Area and local level.
      4. Recommend policy proposals for consideration by the NCPH’s Chair.
      5. Contribute to the development of agendas for the NCPH’s general, annual, and special meetings.
      6. Advocate and act professionally and appropriately on specific concerns of its membership.
  13. MEETINGS.
    1. Scheduled Meetings.  Depending on the availability of funds, the NCPH is anticipated to convene at least one face-to-face meeting each year.  Other meetings, in teleconference or virtual formats, will be convened as necessary.
    2. Ad Hoc Meetings.  Other ad hoc meetings may be held for specific purposes as needed and as resources allow.
    3. Listening Sessions.  The NCPH may seek advice from members of the public on an individual basis during listening sessions, which will be held as needed.
  14. SUPERSEDURE.  None.
  15. EFFECTIVE DATE.  This charter becomes effective on the date of signature.

/Roselyn Tso/
Roselyn Tso
Director
Indian Health Service

Distribution:  IHS-wide
Date: 01/17/2025