Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
What is a Community Advisory Committee?
A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is a dedicated group that helps to identify local health care needs and develops ways to address those needs using a community approach. They play an essential role in healthcare delivery in our region. CACs are established in each primary health care site as one mechanism to ensure community participation and community input are considered for health care initiatives. They are comprised of community members, Central Health employees and Board of Trustee members.
CACs use a primary health care approach, which means they start by looking at the resources in the community and gather individuals, associations and institutions to come together to build on those resources – not concentrating on the needs. A community resource (asset) is anything that can be used to improve the quality of community life. CAC members help identify the assets available in their community and advise how to best work together with the community to use these assets, helping the community achieve its goals. Many CAC members also serve on working groups where they are involved in addressing issues in their communities.
Where are they located?
What is their purpose?
The purpose of a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is to:
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provide advice to the Board of Trustees;
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act as a mechanism for meaningful community input into the prioritization, development, implementation and delivery of health and community services for a prescribed geographic area;
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be a liaison (input and feedback) between the Board and the communities it serves.
What are the expectations for a CAC member?
Community Advisory Committees are accountable to the Board of Trustees. They have no legal status but act in an advisory capacity. CACs are one partner supporting the decision-making authority of the Board.
Members are appointed for a two-year term with an option for re-appointment. Members are expected to attend regularly scheduled meetings.
What qualifications do I need to become a CAC member?
CAC members must:
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Have a willingness to understand more about their community
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Be a good communicator
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Use their good judgement
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Strive to be representative of their fellow community members
CAC members represent different sectors including:
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Municipalities/local service districts
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Older adults
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Young persons
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Member of ministerial association/clergy
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Member from education sector
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Member from justice system
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Member from local service groups
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Member from industry
What initiatives have they worked on in the past?
CACs have:
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Developed mental health and addictions navigational tool for the Coast of Bays region
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Contributed to the planning and implementation of Healthy Students, Healthy Schools summit
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Developed Primary Health Care Newsletters
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Organized Men’s Health Day in Kittiwake Coast
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Organized Women’s Health Day in Green Bay
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Identified transportation as a barrier for rural communities and implemented successful programs to address the need
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Hosted addictions forums
How do they collaborate with Central Health?
The CAC is comprised of Central Health employees, Board of Trustee members, and community members. The CACs are accountable to - and a sub-committee of - the Board of Trustees. The minutes from CAC meetings are included in the Board meeting package for review.
Are their ideas taken seriously, and how does it benefit our communities?
The CAC members come from diverse backgrounds and various sectors and are broadly informed and involved in their communities. Their sense of networks and experience allow them to open doors for primary care providers by connecting them with key people and groups in the community. They are the people who have their finger on the pulse of their community and know best what issues are impacting people’s health and bring these issues to the table. CACs are vital in improving primary health care in Central Health. The priorities identified through the CAC are shared with the Primary Health Care Lead Teams and incorporated into the operational plans for each health service area.
Central Health is currently recruiting Community Advisory Committee Members for:
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Gander Area
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Lewisporte and surrounding areas