Public Health Funding & Policy Committee

Per Senate Bill 969, authored and passed into law by Senator Jane Nelson during the 82nd Texas Legislative Session, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) assembled the Public Health Funding and Policy Committee (PHFPC). This committee consists of nine public health professionals. DSHS Commissioner David Lakey, M.D., appointed three local health entity directors, two local health authorities, two deans from schools of public health, and two DSHS Health Service Region medical directors to serve on the committee. DSHS also provided a staff member who supports the committee and coordinates communication between the agency and the committee. By statute, DSHS is charged with responding to recommendations made by PHFPC. 

The committee shall:

1. Define the core public health services a local health entity should provide in a county or municipality.
2. Evaluate public health in this state and identify initiatives for areas that need improvement.
3. Identify all funding sources available for use by local health entities to perform core public health functions.
4. Establish public health policy priorities for this state; and
5. At least annually, make formal recommendations to the department regarding:
   1. The use and allocation of funds available exclusively to local health entities to perform core public health functions.
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   3. Ways to improve the overall public health of citizens in this state.
   4. Methods for transitioning from a contractual relationship between the department and the local health entities to a cooperative-agreement relationship between the department and the local health entities; and
   5. Methods for fostering a continuous collaborative relationship between the department and the local health entities.

Recommendations made under Subsection (a)(5)(A) must be based on the latest epidemiological evidence and take into account the specific needs of different geographic areas and populations. They should incorporate best practices and evidence-based interventions appropriate for the populations being served. Additionally, these recommendations must comply with state and federal laws and meet federal funding requirements.

Public Participation

Future meeting dates and related information are subject to change.

Archived videos of meeting webcasts are available for viewing for approximately two years from the date the meeting was posted on the website and based on the DSHS records retention schedule.

View All Meeting Details

View All Recorded Webcasts

View the PHFPC Membership Roster (PDF) 

Annual Reports 

• 2024 PHFPC Annual Report (133 kb, PDF)
• 2023 PHFPC Annual Report (254 kb, PDF)
• 2022 PHFPC Annual Report (305 kb, PDF)
• 2021 PHFPC Annual Report (223kb, PDF)
• 2020 PHFPC Annual Report (697 kb, PDF)
• 2019 PHFPC Annual Report (252 kb, PDF)
• 2018 PHFPC Annual Report (502 kb, PDF)
• 2017 PHFPC Annual Report (808 kb, PDF)
• 2016 PHFPC Annual Report (114 kb, PDF)
• 2014/2015 PHFPC Annual Report (544 kb, PDF)
• 2013 PHFPC Annual Report (4.7 mb, PDF)
• 2012 PHFPC Annual Report (2.5 mb, PDF) 

Local Health Department Survey Summary

• Texas Local Health Department Survey: An Analysis (681 kb, PDF) 

DSHS Responses to PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations

• DSHS Response to 2024 PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations (330 kb, PDF)
• DSHS Response to 2023 PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations (332 kb, PDF)
• DSHS Response to 2022 PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations (342kb, PDF)
• DSHS Response to 2021 PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations (193kb, PDF)
• DSHS Response to 2020 PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations (752 kb, PDF)
• DSHS Response to 2019 PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations (328 kb, PDF) 
• DSHS Response to 2018 PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations (331 kb, PDF)
• DSHS Response to 2017 PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations (220 kb, PDF)
• DSHS Response to 2016 PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations (80 kb, PDF)
• DSHS Response to 2014/2015 PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations (539 kb, PDF)
• DSHS Response to 2013 PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations (165 kb, PDF)
• DSHS Response to 2012 PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations (431 kb, PDF)

Core Services

• Framework for Core Public Health System Services (DOCX)