Office of the Executive Director

The Office of the Executive Director (OED) has a vital role in the success of each CRIHB effort through policy development, assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, and executive direction. The collaborative contributions of the OED staff can be seen throughout all aspects of the organization.

The primary responsibilities of the Office of the Executive Director and his department staff are to:

1. Provide point of contact to the Board of Directors for all operational and governance issues.
   
2. Provide effective and efficient communication and coordination for all CRIHB operations.
   
3. Serve all departments as "a point of interpretation" for the effective use of legislation and various information resources.
4. Initiate processes for the formation of legislation, develop and prepare for final submission all grant and contract awards and modification requests.
5. Foster cross departmental collaborations and coordinate all external relations

Within the department the following functions are performed by either the Executive Director and/or his staff:

Executive Direction

Executive Direction is the oversight of all CRIHB, and CRIHB related activities under the direction of the CRIHB Board of Directors. The responsibilities of this function include assessment of the external environment, and the building of external relationships on behalf of the organization. This function also provides strategic and operational direction and oversight to all CRIHB Departments, Units, programs and activities. It is in this department that the responsibility for the development of a strong and collaborative leadership team begins.

Advocacy

Legislative and policy advocacy have been an important part of CRIHB’s function since our founding in the late 1960’s.  History has shown the Indian people of California that the legislative process at both the State and federal levels greatly impacts their well-being. CRIHB was instrumental in the campaign to return Indian Health Service funding for health services to California. CRIHB was involved in the passage of PL 93-638, the Indian Self Determination Act contracting legislation, and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

CRIHB’s OED department has been a leader in developing policies and methodologies that address the chronic under-funding of California Tribal Health Programs. CRIHB empowers Native Americans in the determination of their own destiny.  Today, CRIHB carries out an extensive advocacy program, including community education program policy analysis, and legislative advocacy. A special fund, named in honor of Darrel Hostler (one of CRIHB's founding members), is used to pay expenses which are political in nature. The fund does not contain any contract monies (Federal or State); it is financed by interest income and donations from participating clinics.

Research

Research is an important role for advancing CRIHB’s legislative activities, and is used as a key resource for informing our programmatic activities. Today the OED department houses and coordinates the California Tribal Epidemiology Center and the CRIHB Native American Research Center for Health.  These projects are designed to respond to Tribal research and data needs, and to develop data profiles by Tribal Health Program service area which can measure health service quality, and effectiveness for the advancement of CRIHB’s legislative and policy oriented agenda.

Medical Direction

The role of the Medical Director is to foster quality in all CRIHB activities based on sound medical knowledge and judgment. The Medical Directors provides leadership to the CRIHB network of Medical Directors, and other practitioners that practice culturally competent, evidenced based medicine, with a strong public health orientation towards the wellness of whole communities. This leadership requires a high level of collaboration with other CRIHB staff, and frequently involves participation and leadership in cross departmental teams, and intra-agency work groups.

Staff Roster

Executive Director:  James Crouch
Executive Secretary/Secretary to the Board: Cherie Thomas
Health Policy Analyst: Mark LeBeau
Director of Research: Dr. Carol Korenbrot
Epidemiology Program Coordinator:  Virginia Myers
Research Associate: Rebecca Garrow
Medical Services Director:  Dr. Linda S. Aranaydo
Tribal Facility Engineer: Kerry Gragg

Contact Information:

James Crouch, Executive Director
4400 Auburn Blvd, 2nd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95841
916-929-9761
916-929-7246 (Fax)
email: james.crouch@crihb.net

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