The Steering Committee provides first level scientific direction to the National Children’s Study. It is the arbiter of issues referred to it by the Program Office, the Study Principal Investigators, and the Executive Steering Committee. It is empowered to make protocol modifications that do not change the direction or cost of the Study, subject to confirmation by the Program Office. The Steering Committee may refer management and operational issues to the Executive Steering Committee. The Director of the Program Office serves as the Chair of the Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee is currently comprised of 58 members. Each Study Center (including the Vanguard Centers) has two representatives and 1 vote per Center. The Coordinating Center has 3 members, one of whom has a vote. Each of the following members has one vote: 2 members from the Interagency Coordinating Committee, 3 members from the Program Office, and 2 community and participant representatives. There are a total of 32 votes. The Steering Committee structure and decision making process may be revised and restructured when additional Study Centers are awarded and added to the Steering Committee.
The full Steering Committee meets face-to-face at least once a year. Interim meetings by conference call or video conferencing are scheduled as needed. Business of the Steering Committee is considered closed except to approved observers.
Steering Committee Roster (PDF 125 kb)
Executive Steering Committee
The Executive Steering Committee is a subset of the full Steering Committee. The Executive Steering Committee carries out the majority of the protocol and operational decision making, referring only those items necessary for full Steering Committee consideration. This committee addresses issues that are budget neutral and topics that do not change the Study’s mission.
Voting membership consists of the Principal Investigators from 7 Study Centers; 3 members from the Program Office including the National Children’s Study Director, who is the Chair of the Committee; 2 members from the Interagency Coordinating Committee; 2 Community/Participant Representatives; and the Principal Investigator for the Coordinating Center. The Co-Principal Investigator for the Coordinating Center will participate on the committee as a non-voting member.
Meetings are held monthly via conference call and face-to-face meetings are scheduled every 2–3 months.
Executive Steering Committee Roster (PDF 49 kb)