The Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis County Community Health Board (CHB) formed under a Joint Powers Agreement in 1977 and was established after the passage of the 1976 Community Health Services Act which is now called the Local Public Health Act, Minnesota Statute 145A (effective 2003).
The board is comprised of nine members, three from its largest county St. Louis and two members each from Carlton, Cook and Lake counties. Each participating county must have at least one county commissioner member. The other representative from each county is typically a member of the local county public health advisory and can be a health professional, lay person or additional county commissioners. The CHB holds public meetings and meets approximately bi-monthly. The board has its administrative offices in Duluth.
Mission
The CHB works collaboratively to prevent illness and injury, and to protect and promote the health and well-being of individuals, communities and the populations of Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis Counties.
Vision
The CHB will collaborate on foundational public health capabilities to promote thriving and supportive communities where everyone has the opportunity for health and well-being. Strong leadership will use data and outcomes to increase the capacity of public health partnerships to assess for and address prioritized population health issues and inequities.
Values
Integrity, Quality, Development, Advocacy, and Community.
The role of CCLS CHB staff
- Strengthen, develop, and advocate for the public health system at regional and state levels.
- Lead planning efforts, program development, assessment and evaluation.
- Assure program and financial accountability.
Minnesota Statute 145A defines the power and responsibilities of the local Board of Health. Many of these responsibilities are delegated to the counties through the joint powers agreement between the CHB and the four counties. In addition, the local counties provide most of the direct client services. Strong lines of communication and coordination exist between CHB and local county public health staff as well as MDH staff. The CHB director works side by side with the lead county public health staff at monthly Quad County meetings.
The community health board is the legal governing authority for local public health in Minnesota, and community health boards work with MDH in partnership to prevent diseases, protect against environmental hazards, promote healthy behaviors and healthy communities, respond to disasters, ensure access to health services, and assure an adequate local public health infrastructure.
Learn more about community health boards here.