State Preventive Health Advisory Committee

The State Preventive Health Advisory Committee (SPHAC) advises the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to carry out the tasks outlined in 42 USC §300w-4(d) regarding the formulation of an annual state plan for the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant (PHHSBG), administered by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and make recommendations to DSHS regarding the development and implementation of a state plan, including recommendations on:

  • The conduct of assessments of public health;
  • The activities authorized in 42 USC §300w-3 that should be carried out in the state;
  • The allocation of payments made to the state under 42 USC §300w-2;
  • The coordination of activities carried out under the state plan with relevant programs of other entities; and
  • The collection and reporting of data per 42 USC §300w-5(a).

The State Preventive Health Advisory Committee is governed by Texas Government Code Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees) and Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 25, Part 1, § 84.

Next Public Hearing

Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD

Upcoming Meetings

Per statute, the State Preventive Health Advisory Committee must meet twice a year.

The purpose and focus of these meetings are to allow the advisory committee to either:

(1) Plan or discuss the development of the proposed Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant work plan (Healthy People 2030 objectives and activities) that will be submitted, or

(2) Review a draft of the proposed objectives and activities of the work plan.

For the final meeting, the advisory committee is presented with the final work plan that will be submitted to CDC, which includes the appropriate allocation amounts and is provided the opportunity to offer any final recommendations. 

Next Public Meeting

Meeting DateAgendaPresentations
TBDTBDTBD


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.

All recorded webcasts

DateAgendaMinutesWebcast Recording
July 9, 2025AgendaNot yet availableWebcast Recording
May 29, 2025AgendaNot yet availableWebcast Recording
 June 12, 2024AgendaNot yet availableWebcast Recording
 April 24, 2024AgendaNot yet availableWebcast Recording
 June 13, 2023AgendaApproved MinutesWebcast Recording
 April 25, 2023AgendaApproved MinutesWebcast Recording
 June 13, 2022AgendaApproved MinutesWebcast Recording
 May 13, 2022AgendaApproved MinutesWebcast Recording

Committee Roster

The State Preventive Health Advisory Committee has eight members.

These members include representatives from businesses, colleges or universities, local health departments, hospitals or health systems, schools of public health, senior or adult service organizations, state health departments, and state or local governments.

Members provide adequate representation of the general public and health departments. 

NameCityMembership CategoryTerm ExpirationOrganization
Jennifer Shuford, MDAustinState Health Officer, Texas Department of State Health Services CommissionerN/ATexas Department of State Health Services
Laura BiancoAustinPreventive Health and Health Services Block Grant CoordinatorN/ATexas Department of State Health Services
John Herbold, DVMSan AntonioTexas School of Public Health Representative12/31/2020University of Texas at San Antonio
Carlos Plasencia, MDHoustonRegional Medical Director Representative12/31/2022Texas Department of State Health Services
Faith Foreman-HaysHoustonLocal Health Department Representative12/31/2024Houston Health Department
Kim Kelly, DNP, MSN, BSN, RNHoustonConsumer, General Public12/31/2024The Vocational Nursing, Institute Inc.
Sheila DavisWichita FallsConsumer, General Public12/31/2024Always Best Care Senior Services LLP
Felicia Shaw, CHCE, COS-CsFriscoConsumer, General Public12/31/2020Parallon, HCA

View the committee membership roster (PDF).

Committee Contact

Mailing Address

Texas Department of State Health Services
Division for Regional and Local Health Operations
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756
United States

Contact person
Laura Bianco