Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is One of the First in the Nation to Receive National Accreditation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2014
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Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
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Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is One of the First in the Nation to Receive National Accreditation
Public Health Accreditation Board Designation Recognizes High-Performing Health Departments
Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) announced today that it has achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The national accreditation program works to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing the quality and performance of the nation's Tribal, state, local and territorial public health departments. CUPHD is one of the first of hundreds of health departments across the country that sought accreditation through PHAB, the independent organization that administers the national public health accreditation program.
"We are pleased and excited to be one of the first health departments in the nation to achieve national standards that foster effectiveness and promote continuous quality improvement," said Julie Pryde, CUPHD Administrator. "The accreditation process helps to ensure that the programs and services we provide are as responsive as possible to the needs of our community. With accreditation, CUPHD 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 more than 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.
"Whenever you see our seal of accreditation, you will know that CUPHD has been rigorously examined and meets or exceeds national standards that promote continuous quality improvement for public health," Pryde said. "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."
Public health departments play a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people and communities. In cities, towns and states across the nation, health departments provide a range of services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access to safe food, water, clean air and life-saving immunizations; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.
"I would like to congratulate the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District on its accreditation," said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar 1--lasbrouck. "The accreditation process challenges health departments to evaluate how it is doing business, identify performance improvement opportunities and find ways to connect better with the community. Ultimately, accreditation translates into better public services and healthier communities and I give kudos to the district for a job well done."
"The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is one of the first of many health departments that we look forward to being able to recognize as a high-performing public health department," 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."
The national accreditation program was created collaboratively over a 10-year period by hundreds of public health practitioners working at the national, Tribal, state and local levels. Since the program 's launch in September 2011, nearly 130 health departments have applied to PHAB for accreditation, and hundreds of public health practitioners from across the nation have been trained to serve as volunteer peer site visitors for the program.
"Achieving accreditation indicates that the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is dedicated to improving and protecting the health of the community by striving to continuously improve the quality of the services it delivers," said PHAB Board of Directors Chair Carol Moehrle, MD. "Accreditation also promotes consistency in meeting standards. With an ever-increasing number of health departments now applying for and becoming accredited, you will be able to expect to receive the same quality of public health services wherever you go in the United States."
About the Public Health Accreditation Board
The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), established in 2007, was created to serve as the national public health accrediting body, and is jointly funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The development of national public health accreditation has involved, and is supported by, public health leaders and practitioners from the national, Tribal, state, and local levels. Learn more about PHAB or sign up for the PHAB e-newsletter by visiting www.phaboard.org.
For more information about CUPHD and available services, visit www.c-uphd.org.
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