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Accredited Health Departments Demonstrate the Capacity to Serve Efficiently and Effectively

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) announced today that it has achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). DHSS is one of 16 state health departments that have thus far achieved accreditation through PHAB since the organization launched in 2011.

"We are pleased to be recognized for achieving national standards that foster effective and efficient government and promote continuous quality improvement in public health," said Peter Lyskowski, Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. "The accreditation process helps ensure that the programs and services we provide are as responsive as possible to the needs of our community. With accreditation, the department is demonstrating increased accountability and credibility to the public, funders, elected officials and partner organizations with which we work."

The national accreditation program, jointly supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sets standards against which the nation's nearly 3,000 governmental public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance. To receive accreditation, a health department must undergo a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of quality standards and measures.

"The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services joins the growing ranks of accredited health departments in a strong commitment to their public health mission," said PHAB President and CEO Kaye Bender, PhD, RN, FAAN. "The peer-review process provides valuable feedback to inform health departments of their strengths and areas for improvement, so that they can better protect and promote the health of the people they serve in their communities. Residents of a community served by a nationally accredited health department can be assured that their health department has demonstrated the capacity to protect and promote the health of that community."

Learn more about the Public Health Accreditation Board and process here: http://www.phaboard.org/

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