This week, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services joined 118 other health departments in the United States in receiving national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), the City of Long Beach announced today.
To achieve accreditation through the board, Long Beach underwent a “rigorous, multifaceted, peer-reviewed” assessment process that began as early as three years ago, which evaluated whether the department met or exceeded quality public health measures instituted nationwide.
“Our Health Department is on the front line of improving and protecting the health and well-being of our residents,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement. “This accreditation demonstrates our City’s capacity to provide the highest quality of services to our community, and reflects the dedication of staff to be responsive to its needs.”
The award will be formally unveiled on April 7, during the city’s Annual Public Health Week Conference. The date also happens to be the Department of Health and Human Service’s 110th birthday.
“This incredible accomplishment is official recognition that our Health Department is committed to meeting our community’s needs as effectively as possible,” said Kelly Colopy, director of Health and Human Services in a statement.
Until PHAB became the nation’s first independent accrediting body in 2011, no national accreditation program for public health departments existed up until that point. According to a city release, the department’s accreditation means the city is providing essential public health services to the standard demanded nationally. Employees, the board and community members demonstrated and documented 97 requirements of the accreditation to showcase community engagement and collaboration.
For more information, contact Angie Benton at [email protected] or 562.570.4308.