Health District receives funding for strategic planning

One of 23 agencies selected for funding from CDC to look at accreditation

The Washoe County Health District has been awarded $15,000 to support its progress in meeting the requirements of the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), the first and only voluntary national accreditation program for public health agencies. The Washoe County Health District is one of 23 local health agencies from 20 states and three health agencies from US territories/freely associated states to receive this funding through the Accreditation Support Initiative (ASI). A total of 104 local health organizations of all sizes and types, ranging from rural to urban applied for funding.

Now in its fifth year, the ASI was created in 2011 to promote national accreditation readiness among a greater number of local public health organizations and support their varying needs to reach accreditation. Funding for the ASI is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support (CDC) and administered by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).

The Washoe County Health District received funding under the general category of “developing an agency strategic plan.” The Health District will use the award to engage the Board of Health and Health District staff to create a forward looking plan that focuses the organization on what matters most, aligns the entire organization behind shared goals, and clarifies who needs to do what and by when to achieve those goals.

“We are grateful to have received the Accreditation Support Initiative funding from the CDC and NACCHO, because I believe the funds will help us improve our performance, achieve our strategic goals, and continue making progress to build better health outcomes for the people in our community,” said Washoe County District Health Officer Kevin Dick. “Seeking national public health accreditation is one of over 20 recommendations made to the Health District in the 2014 Fundamental Review.  Achieving accreditation requirements will contribute to the efficiency, effectiveness, and continuous improvement of the Health District into the next decade,” Dick said.