Monterey County Health Department receives National Accreditation

Monterey County Health Department announced on Wednesday, May 23 that it has achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The Monterey County Health Department is now one of 226 state and local health departments that have achieved accreditation through the national effort that launched in 2011. Only 11 of these are located in California.

“We are very pleased to be recognized for achieving national standards, and proud of our staff who work so hard to assure that Monterey County residents have access to quality health services and safe environments,” said Elsa Jimenez, Monterey County Director of Health. “We make every possible effort to engage community members, and the Accreditation Board acknowledged this and our responsiveness to community needs.”

“Monterey County Health Department 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 informs 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.”

“When you see our seal of accreditation, you will know that Monterey County Health Department has been rigorously examined and meets or exceeds national standards to promote continuous quality improvement for public health,” Ms. Jimenez said. “The accreditation process gave us a framework to build a strategic plan, set goals, and measure improvements to empower our community, enhance health and safety, ensure quality and culturally inclusive services, and engage our employees in meeting current and developing population health needs.”

Public health departments play a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people and communities. In cities, counties, 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.

The challenging five-year process to demonstrate quality planning, continuous improvement, preparedness for future events, equitable services, and accountability to the public, is one that requires a commitment to quality improvement. “Achieving accreditation indicates that Monterey County Health Department is dedicated to improving and protecting the health of the community by striving to continuously improve the quality of the services it delivers,” said Ray (Bud) Nicola, MD, MHSA, chair of PHAB’s Board of Directors and affiliate professor at the University of Washington School of Public Health in Seattle. “With an ever-increasing number of health departments becoming accredited, the public will be able to expect to receive the same quality of public health services wherever they are in the United States.”