Boards, Commissions and Councils

The ACCCC is charged with recommending to the Secretary of DHHS a coordinated, comprehensive cancer control plan for the state. The mission of the committee is to facilitate the reduction of cancer incidence and mortality in North Carolina and to enhance access to quality treatment and support services. The group is also developing a state wide inventory of cancer services and activities. Contact: Division of Public Health, 919-707-5000.

Each engages in planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring community-based programs. Contact: Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, 919-733-7011.

The Commission on Anatomy has the power to adopt rules for the distribution of dead human bodies and parts to promote the study of anatomy in North Carolina. Contact: Division of Public Health, 919-707-5000.

The eight member Commission is charged with monitoring and evaluating the availability and provision of health services for children with special health care needs in NC and to monitor and evaluate the services for special needs children through NC Health Choice, the health insurance program for children. The Commission makes recommendations for modifications or additions to the rules necessary to improve services to these children and make service delivery more efficient and effective. Contact: Division of Public Health, 919-707-5000.

The 11-member commission adopts rules to govern the operation of division programs. It also serves as the advisory council to the division's rehabilitation program. Contact: Division of Services for the Blind, 919-733-9822.

The Mental Health/ Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services Commission adopts rules regarding: the licensing of public and private facilities, care and treatment of clients, regulation and control of controlled substances, professional requirements of staff of licensed facilities, hearings and appeals, and review of state plans. The commission also advises the secretary of DHHS regarding these needs and services. Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, 919-733-7011.

The Commission for Public Health (originally the Commission for Health Services) was created with the authority and duty to adopt rules to protect and promote public health and is authorized to adopt rules necessary to implement the public health programs administered by the Department. Contact: Office of the State Health Director, 919-707-5000.

In counties with consolidated humans services agencies rather that departments of social services, these boards serve in the same manner as County Boards of Social Services. Contact: Division of Social Services, 919-733-3055.

This committee recommends solutions to the problems of blind and visually impaired citizens in North Carolina to Department of Health and Human Services. Through research, the committee also makes an effort to meet the needs of these individuals. Contact: Division of Services for the Blind, 919-733-9822.

The 15-member Council on Sickle Cell Syndrome advises and makes recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Commission for Health Services on the needs of persons with sickle cell syndrome. Contact: Division of Public Health, 919-707-5000.

These boards establish county policies for social services programs under the supervision of N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Social Services Commission. Contact: Division of Social Services, 919-733-3055.

The Drug Use Review (DUR) Board makes recommendations to the Division of Medical Assistance on DUR policies and procedures. Contact: Division of Medical Assistance, 919-855-4100.

The council advises the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on Emergency Medical Service regions, rules, and matters. Contact: Division of Health Service Regulation, 919-855-3750.

Consisting of 33 members, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging advises the governor and the secretary of DHHS on methods to improve human services for the elderly. The council studies the needs and problems of the elderly and promotes public understanding. Contact: Division of Aging and Adult Services 919-733-3983.

The 11 board members establish standards and rules for the professional care of the school's students. The board also works to make the Governor Morehead School as self-sup porting as possible. Contact: Office of Education Services, 919-715-7500.

Protects and advocates for human rights for Governor Morehead School students. Contact: Office of Education Services, 919-715-7500.

The Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health promotes interest in the area of physical fitness, considers the need for new State programs in the field of physical fitness, examines current programs of physical fitness, serves as an agency for recognizing outstanding development, contributions, and achievements in physical fitness and serves as a sanctioning body for the State Games. The Council also enlists the active support of individual citizens, professional and civic groups, amateur and professional athletes, voluntary organizations, and recreation programs in efforts to improve the physical fitness and thereby the health of the citizens of North Carolina. Contact: Division of Public Health, 919-707-5000.

The Governor’s Task Force for Healthy Carolinians is charged with establishing and monitoring the 2010 health objectives for North Carolina. The Task Force designates local Healthy Carolinian Partnerships comprised of representatives of public and private organizations, and provides encouragement and guidance to communities establishing their own local partnerships. Contact: Office of Healthy Carolinians, 919-707-5150.

Each of the Dept. of Health and Human Services psychiatric hospitals, mental retardation centers and alcohol and drug addiction tr eatment centers has a human rights committee to protect the rights of clients. Contact: Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, 919-733-7011.

This commission studies system-wide issues affecting the development, administration, and delivery of Mental Mealth/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse. Contact: Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, 919-733-7011.

This committee provides advice and external support to the Medicaid agency and evaluates the program from the viewpoints of the community and professional groups. Contact: Division of Medical Assistance, 919-855-4100.

The Medical Care Commission publicizes rules for inspection and licensing of hospitals, nursing homes, emergency medical services, and other medical facilities and services. The commission also administers the provisions of the Health Care Facilities Finance Act. Contact: Division of Health Service Regulation, 919-855-3750.

The council reviews the state's mental health block grant plan and advises the department on the provision of services to children who are severely emotionally disturbed and adult with severe and persistent mental illness. Contact: Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, 919-733-7011.

The 15 member Minority Health Advisory Council is charged with the duties and responsibilities of making recommendations to the Governor and the DHHS Secretary aimed at improving the health status of North Carolina’s minority populations; identifying and examining the limitations and problems associated with existing laws, regulations, programs and services related to the health status of minorities; examining the financing and access to health services for the state’s minority populations; and identifying and reviewing health promotion and disease prevention strategies relating to the leading causes of death and disability among minority populations. Contact: Office of Minority Health, 919-431-1613.

This 15-member commission establishes rules for the licensing and regulating child day care facilities and homes in North Carolina. Contact: Division of Child Development, 919-662-4543.

The Child Fatality Task Force was created in 1991 by the General Assembly to study the cause of death in childhood and to develop a system for the multidisciplinary review of child deaths. The impetus for creating the Task Force was to address the problem of child abuse, which is responsible for about 60 deaths in North Carolina each year, but the focus of the Task Force quickly expanded to include the other 97 percent of child deaths as well. Contact: Division of Public Health, 919-707-5000.

This N.C. Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing makes recommendations to the secretary of Department of Health and Human Services regarding improvement of human services and advises him in the planning of services for the deaf and hard of hearing. Members study state educational programs and ways to promotes public understanding of the problems of the deaf and hard of hearing. They also consider the need for new state programs that concern these individuals. Contact: Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 919-773-2963.

The N.C. Council on Developmental Disabilities assures that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the planning of and have access to culturally competent services, supports and opportunities that promote independence, productivity and integration into the community. Contact: Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, 919-733-7011.

The Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force is charged with recommending to the Governor and to the General Assembly a coordinated, comprehensive heart disease and stroke prevention plan for the state. The mission of the task force is to facilitate the reduction of heart disease and stroke incidence and mortality and to enhance access to quality treatment and support services. Contact: Division of Public Health, 919-707-5000.

The council develops the State Medical Facilities Plan, which is recommended annually to the governor. Contact: Division of Health Service Regulation, 919-855-3750.

This 26-member council advises the state Dept. of Health and Human Services and the Dept. of Environment, Health and Natural Resources in carrying out their early intervention services. The council also advises the Dept. of Public Instruction in their activities related to the condition of special education services for pre-schoolers. Contact: Division of Child Development, 919-662-4543.

This council advises the governor and the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on issues related to problems of people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Also identifies available resources throughout the state, and recommends joint and cooperative efforts in carrying out programs to meet the needs of the homeless. Contact: Office of Economic Opportunity, 919-715-5850.

The Osteoporosis Task Force was created by the General Assembly in 1997 to undertake a statistical and qualitative examination of the incidence of and causes of osteoporosis deaths and risk, including identification of subpopulations at highest risk for developing osteoporosis, and establish a profile of the osteoporosis burden in North Carolina. The Task Force is also charged with raising public awareness on the causes and nature of osteoporosis, personal risk factors, value of prevention and early detection, and options for diagnosing and treating the disease. Contact: Division of Public Health, 919-707-5000.

This board provides direction and guidance to the school and Department of Health and Human Services. Contact: Office of Education Services, 919-715-7500.

In conjunction with the N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the N.C. Division of Services for the Blind, the council develops and signs the State Plan for Independent Living. The council then monitors and evaluates the implementation of the plan and coordinates activities with the State Rehabilitation Council. Each one of the two divisions is represented on the council by non-voting ex officio members. Contact: N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services at 919-855-3522 or N.C. Division of Services for the Blind at 919-733-9822.

This nine-member committee reviews administrative penalty proposals recommended against adult care homes and non-certified nursing homes and makes recommendations regarding penalties to the Division of Health Service Regulation. Contact: Division of Health Service Regulation, 919-855-3750.

The Physician’s Advisory Group (PAG; also knows as NCPAG) is a charitable, nonprofit organization that was created for the purpose of advising the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) on ways to improve the health of the state's vulnerable populations by expanding access to quality, cost-effective health care services. It is endorsed and represented by all major medical specialties and health care providers. The NCPAG is charged with a number of responsibilities which are accomplished through the voluntary efforts of its Board of Directors, Committees, Subcommittees, and Task Forces. Contact: Division of Medical Assistance, 919-855-4100.

A committee consisting of licensed ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians that advises the Commission for the Blind and the division on matters related to the acquiring and using professional services. Contact: Division of Services for the Blind, 919-733-9822.

The 13-member Social Services Commission has the authority to adopt administrative rules and regulations for a number of human services programs. Contact: Division of Social Services, 919-733-3055.

This committee reviews the needs of handicapped individuals and the rehabilitation facilities and serv ices available to meet those needs throughout North Carolina. Contact: Vocational Rehabilitation Services, 919-733-3364.

The council advises the division on issues regarding the agency and state at large. Contact: Vocational Rehabilitation Services, 919-733-3364.