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Public Health Accreditation

Many public service entities (e.g., schools, police departments) are accredited; however, until recently there had not been a national accreditation program for public health departments.  Public health departments are accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), which is a non-profit agency, formed to develop and implement voluntary national accreditation.  Accreditation by PHAB signifies that a health department is meeting national standards for ensuring essential public health services are provided in the community.  The program launched in September 14, 2011 and the first health departments were accredited in February 2013.  

The Public Health Division of the Santa Cruz Health Services Agency is in the initial stages of preparing for Accreditation.  Accreditation is the measurement of health department performance against a set of nationally recognized, evidenced-based standards.  It assures that a public health department is committed to self-study and is continuously enhancing the services offered.

The accreditation process includes a pre-application; application (must have completed 3 prerequisites:  Community Health Assessment (CHA), Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), and a strategic plan); documentation, selection, submission; site visit; site visit report; accreditation decisions; annual reports; and re-accreditation (5 years later).  

Engaging in accreditation catalyzes quality and performance improvement within all public health programs and can help health departments be better prepared to proactively respond to emerging and reemerging health challenges. The accreditation assessment process provides valuable, measurable feedback to health departments on their strengths and areas for improvement. 

Accreditation will enable the Public Health Division to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness at a time when local health departments are being asked to do more with less. The Public Health Accreditation process will also give us an opportunity to work with partners to review local data along with indicators to measure and monitor health outcomes for the entire county.

Resources & Information

Meeting Agendas & Materials

MAPP Steering Committee Governance

Dates/Times Purpose Location Agendas & Materials
9/13/2018
3pm - 4:30pm
MAPP Steering Committee 1080 Emeline Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA
8/17/2017
1pm - 3pm
MAPP Steering Committee 1080 Emeline Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA
11/18/2016
9:30am - 3:30pm
MAPP Steering Committee Community Foundation
7807 Soquel Dr., Aptos
4/20/2016
9am - 12pm
MAPP Data Subcommittee Watsonville Hospital
Sequoia Conference Room
2/4/2016
9am - 11am
MAPP Steering Committee Aptos-La Selva Fire
6934 Soquel Dr., Aptos, CA
2/3/2016
1pm - 3pm
MAPP Subcommittee 1080 Emeline Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA
12/3/2015
9am - 12pm
MAPP Subcommittee Simpkins Swim Center
979 17th Ave
Santa Cruz, CA
12/2/2015
12pm - 4pm
MAPP Steering Committee Payaro Valley Community Health Trust
85 Nielson St., Watsonville
10/29/2015
9am - 11:30am
MAPP Visioning  & Values
Session 2
Santa Cruz County Office of Education

399 Encinal St, Annex Building

10/2/2015
9am - 12pm
MAPP Visioning Session Santa Cruz County Office of Education

400 Encinal St, Tech Center Room

9/16/2015
9am - 11am
Steering Committee
Kickoff Meeting

Simpkins Swim Center
979 17th Ave
Santa Cruz, CA