The board of directors of a community health center has several key responsibilities: 1) To define and preserve the mission of providing primary healthcare to the community's medically underserved residents. 2) To establish policies that ensure the efficient and effective operation of the center and compliance with federal requirements. 3) To oversee the financial management of the center and ensure its assets are protected.

1. Community Health Centers Board of Directors Presented by David L. Brown President Family Medical Center of MI December 20, 2010

2. Congress HRSA - BPHC Community Health Centers Board of Directors National Health Service Corp Executive Director Providers Support Staff Primary Care Association National Association of Community Health Centers

3. Why we have a Board?

4. To Govern Provide leadership Guide the center in doing what it was intended to do Requires and understanding of mission, ensuring programs and services fulfill its mission Requires providing a vision – a direction for the organization The board governs the present and plans for the future in a way that preserves the mission

5. To Link to the Community Serve as the voice of the community Represents the community and its needs to the center. The center was established to meet a specific need – to provide primary care services to the community’s medically underserved and vulnerable residents. It’s the boards role to represent the community in assuring the center maintains the proper management and staff necessary to provide the scope of services needed for the community The board is required to promote the center and its mission to the community

6. It’s Required Incorporated and granted tax-exempt status by the State and Federal Government to fulfill a need A non-profit business has rules regarding how its managed One of those is it must establish and maintain a board to make sure it operates and does what it was set up to do Required by grant and Federal Requirements

7. What is the Board Supposed to do?

8. Define and preserve the mission of the organization: Everyone, including each board member, center staff, executive director and the community should understand why the center exists and what it hopes to accomplish It is the board’s job to continually clarify the mission of the center. Board should also understand of the goals and objectives based upon the mission statement of the center

9. Make Policy: Why and when the board sets policy To initiate action to accomplish the mission Response to a changing need in the community Response from a funding agency

10. Boards must constantly: Reassess priorities Interpret and evaluate it’s policies Change, discard or create new policies This in order to meet the changing needs of: The Community Health Center Funding Sources

11. The board is responsible for the efficient, effective operation of the center The board should establish policies that ensure proper administration of funds and record accurately the centers financial activities The board should: Establish financial priorities Long range financial planning Review and approve the annual budget and annual audit

12. Board should also ensure the creation of: Internal control procedures Purchasing policies and standards Protocols for determining eligibility for services, including criteria for sliding fee schedule A billing and collection system

13. The board is obligated to make sure the executive director and staff make continuing efforts to maintain and improve quality of care that the center provides Board makes sure that: Director hires a competent, qualified Medical Director who will supervise other clinical staff Generally accepted principles of quality health care are developed and followed Internal QA program provides for the periodic review of the center’s performance in meeting the needs of the community

14. Board is responsible for making sure the director implements the approved policies Once implement the board must support the ED and staff in their efforts Board has the role of making policy ED and staff have the job of implementing It is important the board accept the ideas of the policy from ED and staff as they have first hand knowledge in day to day operations

15. Safeguard the assets of the center: The board has placed in a position of trust by the community and funding sources to protect the center’s assets and make sure the center’s income is managed properly and the mission is preserved Board is FIDUCIARY responsible for the management of the center

16. Select, Evaluate, and support the CEO: The Board hires the CEO to manage the day to day operations. The Board is responsible for making sure the CEO fulfills the requirements of this position. Monitor and Evaluate the Center and Board: Center: The best way to see if the Center is succeeding is to see how it measures up to its mission. Board: Focus on the strengths and weaknesses. Look at: How well the Board meets its responsibilities. Board’s interaction with CEO. Board Member’s interaction with each other.

17. Plan for the long range future of the Center: Strategic planning deals with long term objectives and programs for accomplishing them. The future is defined as 3 to 5 years. Board members must carry out certain functions required by federal regulations. The board does not serve as an outlet for employees who want to “end run” the compliance process by taking their individual grievances directly to the board