Kansas City Health Department Recognized for Excellence in Public Health Services
The Kansas City Health Department (KCHD) has once again been recognized for its unwavering commitment to community health and operational excellence, earning reaccreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). This significant achievement underscores the department’s dedication to quality, accountability, and continuous improvement in serving the residents and businesses of Kansas City. It reaffirms KCHD’s position as a leader in public health, not just locally but on a national scale.
This reaccreditation is more than just a certificate on the wall; it is a testament to the department’s hard work and adherence to the highest national standards. For the community, it provides assurance that their public health department is effective, responsive, and equipped to handle the evolving health challenges of our time. From disease prevention to emergency preparedness, this seal of approval validates the systems and strategies KCHD has in place to protect and improve public well-being.
What is PHAB Accreditation?
The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) is the sole national accrediting body for governmental public health departments. Its mission is to advance and transform public health practice by championing performance improvement, strong infrastructure, and innovation. Achieving PHAB accreditation is a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed process that evaluates a health department’s performance against a set of nationally recognized, evidence-based standards.
This comprehensive evaluation covers a wide range of public health services and capabilities. It assesses everything from community health assessment and policy development to communication, health equity, and management practices. By undergoing this process, health departments demonstrate a profound commitment to transparency and accountability. It helps them identify their strengths and areas for improvement, fostering a culture of continuous quality improvement that directly benefits the communities they serve.
“PHAB accreditation not only serves as a credential but also reflects a department’s dedication to building healthier communities,” stated PHAB President and CEO Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP. “We commend each department for its hard work and vision in meeting today’s public health challenges head-on.”
A Rigorous Path to Excellence
Achieving reaccreditation is no small feat. It requires a department to meticulously document its work, measure its performance, and demonstrate its impact. The process involves comprehensive self-assessment, the collection of detailed documentation, and an intensive site visit from a team of peer reviewers. These reviewers scrutinize the department’s operations to ensure they align with the 12 domains of public health practice.
These domains include crucial functions like:
Investigating health problems and hazards.
Informing and educating the public about health issues.
Enforcing laws and regulations that protect public health.
Linking people to needed personal health services.
Ensuring a competent public health workforce.
For KCHD, this journey has been a long-term commitment. After becoming one of the first health departments in the nation to achieve initial accreditation in 2013, the team has worked diligently to maintain and build upon that standard of excellence. Reaccreditation, which occurs every five years, ensures that the department remains aligned with the latest public health priorities and best practices.
“Kansas City’s PHAB reaccreditation was a rigorous yet rewarding process that demonstrates our commitment to measuring our performance and services against the highest national standards,” said Marvia Jones, PhD, MPH, Director of Health for the Kansas City Health Department. “Since 2013, this process has helped us strengthen our organization from the inside out. While our work is far from over, our commitment to improving the health of Kansas City residents and businesses is deepened by reaccreditation.”
A History of Leading the Way
The Kansas City Health Department has long been at the forefront of the public health accreditation movement. In 2013, it was among the first city health departments accredited by PHAB and was the very first health department in the state of Missouri to receive this distinguished honor. This trailblazing spirit highlights a deep-rooted dedication to excellence that continues to drive the department forward.
This reaccreditation places KCHD among a growing network of nearly 450 accredited health departments across the United States. This network represents a collective commitment to creating a stronger, more effective public health system that is prepared to protect and promote the health of every community. The staff’s hard work and dedication are the foundation of this milestone achievement, showcasing their tireless efforts to serve Kansas City.
What This Means for Kansas City
For the residents of Kansas City, this reaccreditation is a promise of quality and reliability. It means your health department is:
Accountable: Actively measuring its performance and seeking improvement.
Credible: Meeting or exceeding national standards for public health services.
Responsive: Using data and community feedback to guide its programs and policies.
Prepared: Maintaining robust systems for emergency preparedness and response.
Whether it’s through chronic disease prevention programs, health ordinance enforcement, or community outreach and education, KCHD is dedicated to creating a healthier future for everyone. This achievement validates that commitment and provides a strong foundation for the work that lies ahead.
Learn More and Get Involved
The Kansas City Health Department’s work is a collaborative effort that involves community partners and engaged residents. To learn more about the department’s services, programs, and initiatives aimed at protecting and improving the health of all Kansas City residents, we encourage you to explore their official website.
Visit kcmo.gov/health to discover how the department is working for you and find opportunities to get involved in building a healthier Kansas City.
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