The Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department has achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board.
The local department joins fewer than 200 health departments nationwide — and 10 others in Wisconsin — that have achieved this accreditation since the Public Health Accreditation Board started in 2011.
The national accreditation program works to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing and ultimately transforming the quality and performance of the nation’s state, local, tribal and territorial public health departments.
“We are so very excited to be recognized for achieving national standards that foster effectiveness and promote continuous quality improvement,” said Jaime Bodden, health officer for the Shawano-Menominee county department. “The accreditation process helps to ensure that the programs and services we provide are as responsive as possible to the needs of our counties.”
The department offers a wide range of programs and services, including childhood immunizations, communicable disease surveillance, environmental health, and maternal and child health. The department also participates with others on emergency preparedness, physical activity, early childhood development, chronic disease prevention, and mental health.
The national accreditation program, jointly supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sets standards through 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 multi-faceted assessment process.
Judith Sengstock, accreditation coordinator for the national board, said the organization’s seal of accreditation means the Shawano-Menominee health agency meets standards that promote continuous quality improvement for public health.
“By continuing to improve our services and performance, we can be sure we are meeting the public health needs of those we serve as effectively as possible,” Sengstock said.
The national accreditation program was created collaboratively over a 10-year period by hundreds of public health practitioners. Hundreds of public health departments have applied for accreditation.