The launch of the national accreditation program for public health departments took place on September 14, 2011 in Washington DC, and was an inspiration for all attendees. Many key leaders in the public health field were present, including representatives from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Accreditation was advanced as a tool to build partnerships, increase staff morale, and create a new avenue for public health practitioners to engage with each other. Speakers highlighted the importance of accreditation for the field and shared their personal excitement about the future possibilities. President and CEO of the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), Dr. Kaye Bender, stated that “the vision for accreditation is to create a reliable national standard for public health.” The full press release is available online.

During the launch event, PHAB staff announced the redesign of its website. The new website provides information about the history of PHAB, the PHAB standards, technical assistance, and the application process. If you are preparing your health department for accreditation, make sure to review the Seven Steps of Accreditation and note the 3 steps that must be completed before beginning an application: review the accreditation readiness checklist, take the online orientation, and submit a statement of intent. If you are ready, you can begin the application process today.

Wherever you are on your journey towards accreditation, PHF can help you reach your goals and create a culture of quality improvement. Review PHF’s new Accreditation Preparation webpage for specific quality improvement resources.