Public Health Funding & Policy Committee

Advisory Committees

Advisory Committees

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.
    2. Tab
    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.

Upcoming Meetings

Meeting DateAgendasPresentations
August 13, 2025  
October 8, 2025  
December 10, 2025  

Future meeting dates and related information are subject to change.

Past Meetings and Materials

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 Recorded Webcasts

Meeting DateAgendasMinutesWebcast RecordingsHandouts
June 11, 2025Agenda WebcastPublic Health Data Sharing in Texas (PPTX)
Texas 2025 Measles Outbreak and Immunization (PDF)
Legislative Session Update (PPTX)
Federal Funding Changes and Potential Impacts to Local Health Departments (PDF)
April 9, 2025AgendaMinutesWebcastPublic Health Data Sharing in Texas (PPTX)
Texas 2025 Measles Outbreak (PDF)
February 12, 2025AgendaMinutesWebcastPublic Health Data Sharing in Texas (PPTX)
PHFPC Briefing (PDF)
Public Health Provider - Charity Care Program (PHP-CCP) Update (PPTX)
Infectious Disease Prevention (PPTX)
December 11, 2024AgendaMinutesWebcastLegislative Session Update (PPTX)
Emerging and Infectious Diseases Update (PPTX)
Data Modernization/Public Health Data Sharing Update (PPTX)
Community Conversations on Health (PPTX)
Infectious Disease Prevention (PPTX)
October 16, 2024AgendaMinutesWebcastEmerging and Infectious Diseases Update (PPTX)
Infectious Disease Prevention Update (PPTX)
Public Health Provider-Charity Care Program Update (PPTX)
June 12, 2024AgendaMinutesWebcastEmerging and Infectious Diseases Update (PPTX)
Infectious Disease Prevention Update (PPTX)
Data Modernization/Public Health Data Sharing Update (PPTX)
Community Conversations on Health Grant Updates (PPTX)
April 10, 2024AgendaMinutesWebcastEmerging and Infectious Diseases Update (PPTX)
Data Modernization/Public Health Data Sharing Update (PPTX)
Public Health Provider-Charity Care Program Update (PPTX)
February 7, 2024AgendaMinutesWebcastEmerging and Infectious Diseases Update (PDF)
December 13, 2023AgendaMinutesWebcastCOVID-19 Vaccine and Mpox Debrief (PDF)
DSHS Vision Strategy (PDF)

Committee Roster

NameCityMembership CategoryTerm ExpirationPublic Health Region
Presiding Officer Stephen L. Williams, MEd, MPAHoustonDirector of Local Health Entity (large)20256/5 South
Assistant Presiding Officer Philip Huang, MD, MPHDallasHealth Authority20292/3
Sharon Melville, MD, MPHTempleRegional Medical Director20297
Sharon WhitleyKountzeDirector of Local Health Entity (medium)20276/5 South
Julie St. John, DrPH, MPH, MA, CHWIAbileneSchool of Public Health20252/3
Jennifer Griffith, DrPH, MPHCollege StationSchool of Public Health20277
Lisa Dick, RDN, LDBrownwoodDirector of Local Health Entity (small)20272/3
Todd Bell, MDAmarilloHealth Authority20291
Emilie Prot, DO, MPHHarlingenRegional Medical Director202511

View the PHFPC Membership Roster (PDF) 

Committee Documents

Annual Reports 

Local Health Department Survey Summary

DSHS Responses to PHFPC Annual Report Recommendations

Core Services

Committee Contact

Phone

512-839-4963

Fax

512-776-7590

Email

RLHO@dshs.texas.gov

Physical Address

Texas Department of State Health Services
Division for Regional & Local Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756
United States