The process of approaching and applying for Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) accreditation can be daunting. There is a plethora of planning, preparation, and documentation that must take place throughout the process. The
Idaho North Central District Health Department,
accredited in March 2016 by PHAB, used the
TRAIN Learning Network to achieve accreditation and created a foundation for effective and efficient procedures for completing workforce development planning, preparation, and documentation requirements.
The
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare joined the TRAIN Learning Network in 2012 as a
state affiliate, and quickly found TRAIN’s features essential to its documentation needs for accreditation. Carol Moehrle, District Director at Idaho North Central District Health Department, sat down with the Public Health Foundation (PHF) to discuss the TRAIN Learning Network’s impact on her health district’s accreditation process.
Idaho North Central Health District uses TRAIN for more than just accreditation. Explore more videos about how TRAIN provides additional opportunities and value for Carol's health district:
Accreditation: TRAIN - Supporting Efficient Workforce Development Processes
PHAB's accreditation process seeks to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing the quality and performance of state, Tribal, local and territorial health departments. As of January 25, 2018, a total of 211 health departments (31 state, 179 local, and one tribal), as well as one integrated statewide local public health department system, have been awarded five-year accredited status by PHAB.
Domain 8 of PHAB’s
Standards and Measures focuses on the professional development of the public health workforce:
- Domain 8: Maintain a Competent Public Health Workforce
- Standard 8.2: Ensure a Competent Workforce through Assessment of Staff Competencies, the Provision of Individual Training and Professional Development, and the Provision of a Supportive Work Environment
Through the TRAIN Learning Network, health departments can access tools that support PHAB documentation. Within Domain 8, health departments must demonstrate how they will monitor and track employee training in order to meet Measures 8.2.1 A and 8.2.3 A by submitting a workforce development plan and an annual personal professional development plan. Health departments can add their own courses to the selection of courses offered through TRAIN and track employees’ attendance, progress, and completion of these courses. Furthermore, this documentation can be produced electronically through TRAIN.
TRAIN also supports the requirement under PHAB Measure 8.2.1 A, that health departments use nationally-adopted competencies within their workforce development plan. TRAIN enables learners to search for content by the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals, foundational skills desirable for professionals engaging in the practice, education, and research of public health. Health departments can report on workforce trainings completed by specific competencies and identify and address individual and staff competency gaps.
Learn More If your health department is preparing for accreditation or interested in more information about the TRAIN Learning Network, contact
Patti Abshier, Director, TRAIN Learning Network and Programs, at
pabshier@phf.org or (202)218-4427.