Task Force of Border Health Officials
The Task Force of Border Health Officials was created to advise the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on policy priorities addressing major issues affecting the border region residents' health and health conditions; on raising public awareness of the issues; and on other health issues impacting the border region.
The Task Force is made up of health department directors from border counties and from border cities with a sister city in Mexico. DSHS has appointed additional members, including three DSHS Public Health Region Medical Directors to represent parts of the border without local health departments. The Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives appoint two ex-officio, nonvoting legislative members.
Vision
To promote and enhance a healthy and equitable border community
Mission
To identify and raise awareness of binational health issues impacting border communities to enhance border public health.
Values
Creative and practical solutions through participatory leadership of Texas-Mexico border health professionals via:
- Community
- Communication
- Culture
- Collaboration
General Duties of the Task Force
The task force shall make recommendations to the commissioner for short-term and long-term border health improvement plans. The short-term plan shall identify health objectives proposed to be accomplished before the fourth anniversary of the date the plan is adopted. The long-term plan shall identify health objectives proposed to be accomplished before the ninth anniversary of the date the plan is adopted.
(From: S.B.1680 Chapter 120, SUB-CHAPTER C., Section 120.101. SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM PLANS.)
For the complete text of the enabling legislation for the Task Force, please see:
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.120.htm
Contact Information:
For more information about participating in Task Force meetings, contact:
John Simo Villarreal | Bi-national Coordinator
Texas Department of State Health Services
Office of Border Public Health, MC 1962
1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756
512-776-7436 | 512-776-7262 fax
Email: OBPH@dshs.texas.gov
Links:
Reports:
- Task Force of Border Health Officials November 2022 Report
- Report on Actions by Task Force of Border Health Officials 2022
- Task Force of Border Health Officials December 2021 Report
- DSHS Report on the Task Force of Border Health Officials September 2020
- Task Force of Border Health Officials November 2018 Report
- DSHS Report on the Task Force of Border Health Officials September 2018
Meeting Agendas and Minutes: