The Peoria City/County Health Department announced May 14, 2015 that it has achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The national accreditation program works to improve the health of the public by advancing the quality and performance of the nation’s Tribal, state, local, and territorial public health departments. Peoria City/County Health Department is one of hundreds of health departments across the country to seek accreditation through PHAB, the non-profit organization that administers the national public health accreditation program.

“We are pleased and excited to be recognized for achieving national standards that demonstrate our commitment to providing quality services,” said Greg Chance, Public Health Administrator for the Peoria City/County Health Department. “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, Peoria City/County Health Department is demonstrating increased accountability and credibility to the public, funders, elected officials, and partner organizations with which we work.”

“The Peoria City/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 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 the 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.”

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, hundreds of public 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.

For more information on important Public Health issues, visit the Peoria City/County Health Department website at www.pcchd.org.