The Health Equity Advisory Commission is advisory to the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont General Assembly.
Vermont State Statue References:
- Enabling legislation: Act 33 of 2021
- Relevant legislation: Sec. B.1106(a)(10) of Act 74 of 2021
- Governing statute: 18 V.S.A. §252
Purpose
- "Promote health equity and eradicate health disparities among Vermonters, including particularly those who are Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color; individuals who are LGBTQ; and individuals with disabilities.'
- "Amplify the voices of impacted communities regarding decisions made by the State that impact health equity, whether in the provision of health care services or as the result of social determinants of health.”
- "Provide strategic guidance on the development of the Office of Health Equity, including recommendations on the structure, responsibilities, and jurisdiction of such an office.”
Meetings - Click here for meetings, agendas, and minutes
The Health Equity Advisory Commission meets regularly, and strives to make meetings accessible to members of the public.
Information Center - Click here for reports, data, and external sources
The Health Equity Advisory Commission tracks and analyzes relevant data impacting health outcomes.
Contact the HEAC - Click here to contact us
The HEAC is a public body that values community input, especially from members of communities that historically have been marginalized or oppressed.
Membership
Below are the current members of the Health Equity Advisory Commission and the entities they represent (listed in the order in which they are listed in the enabling statute)
- Xusana Davis, SOV - Office of Racial Equity
- Song Nguyen, SOV - Department of Health
- Kheya Ganguly, SOV - Department of Mental Health
- Monica White, SOV - Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living
- Alex McCracken, SOV - Department of Health Access
- Rachel Edens, SOV - Department of Children & Families
- Patrick Scheld, SOV - Department of Housing and Community Development
- Brett Long, SOV - Department of Economic Development
- Justin Kenney, SOV - Chief Performance Officer
- Monica Hutt, SOV - Chief Prevention Officer
- Mark Hughes, Racial Justice Alliance
- Patricia Johnson, NAACP – Rutland Area
- Steffen Gillom, NAACP – Windham
- Thato Ratsebe, Association of Africans Living in Vermont (AALV)
- Kell Arbor, Pride Center of Vermont
- Amanda Rohdenburg, Outright Vermont
- Abel Luna, Migrant Justice
- HB Lozito, Out in the Open
- Ericka Reil, Another Way Community Center
- Annette Denio, Psychiatric Survivors Network
- Sarah Launderville, Center for Independent Living
- Rich Holschuh, Abenaki – Elnu band
- Lucy Neel, Abenaki – Nulhegan band
- Andrea Brett, Abenaki – Koasek band
- Joanne Crawford, Abenaki – Misisquoi band
- Jeff Benay, SOV - Commission on Native American Affairs
- Lehana Guyette, Green Mountain Self Advocates
- Kirsten Murphy, SOV - Developmental Disabilities Council
- Sandi Yandow, Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health