The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) today learned it has been awarded national accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). Earning this five-year accreditation status signifies that DPH has met or exceeded rigorous, nationally recognized, evidence-based public health standards, a distinction that only 20 other states have achieved.

PHAB, jointly supported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is dedicated to improving and protecting the health of the public by advancing and transforming the quality and performance of public health departments. Agencies seeking accreditation undergo a comprehensive, peer-reviewed assessment process and must meet the requirements of over 100 measures that evaluate the health department’s ability to carry out the 10 Essential Public Health Services such as assessing the health of the public, responding to public health threats, investigating and preventing disease, and developing and implementing sound public health policies that assure the public’s health. The accreditation standards also assure that health departments possess adequate administrative and management capacity, and strong relationships with its governing entity and local public health partners.

"Having an accredited state health department assures a level of accountability and credibility for Connecticut’s residents," Governor Dannel P. Malloy said. "DPH is delivering a level of service that meets high national standards and is ultimately poised to continue to improve public health in Connecticut. I commend DPH and its dedicated staff for their hard work and efforts over the last several years to achieve accreditation."

"I am extremely proud of our staff and the professionalism and quality of work they carry out every day that has earned the Department this significant status," said Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino. "Achieving national accreditation demonstrates DPH’s capacity and dedication to deliver quality services to protect and improve the health of the people in Connecticut. By engaging in continuous quality and performance improvement, DPH is well positioned to proactively respond to current and emerging public health challenges."

"I would like to recognize and thank my predecessor, Dr. Jewel Mullen, for her contributions and leadership in guiding DPH’s efforts toward accreditation. I would also like to thank all of our partners across the state, including local health departments and districts, who played an important role in reaching this milestone," added Commissioner Pino.

PHAB commended CT DPH on a number of strengths, including its efforts to engage partners and establish strong relationships with a variety of local and state organizations, its formal commitment to health equity in the State Health Improvement Plan and agency Strategic Plan, and the strides made in developing a performance management framework and dashboard to measure performance.

"The Connecticut Department of Public Health 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 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. Residents of a community served by a nationally accredited health department can be assured that their health department has demonstrated the capacity to protect and promote the health of that community."

Public health departments are critical to improve and protect the health and well-being of people and communities. Health departments provide services aimed at preventing disease by promoting healthy behaviors, ensuring access to clean water and air, safe food, and life-saving immunizations, and by preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.

For more information on the Public Health Accreditation Board, please visit http://www.phaboard.org.