Keywords

accreditation, essential services, local public health departments, Multistate Learning Collaborative, NACCHO Operational Definition, on-site review, performance assessment, public health standards, quality improvement

 

Authors

  1. Butler, James BBA
  2. Tews, Debra MA
  3. Raevsky, Cathy BA
  4. Canavese, Janet BS
  5. Wojciehowski, Kathleen JD
  6. Michalak, Craig MBA
  7. Thomas, Monecia MHA
  8. Brewster, Joan MPA
  9. Mason, Marlene MBA
  10. Schmidt, Rita MPH

Abstract

In 1988, the Committee for the Study of the Future of Public Health identified the core functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance as key roles of the public health governmental sector. Some states have developed accreditation or performance assessment programs to measure how state and/or local government carry out these functions. Several of these programs share a common "on-site review" component defined as a site-specific visit to assess, observe, interview, review, evaluate, and/or survey a local/state agency or program regarding its ability to meet a set of public health standards. This article describes the experience of four states-Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, and Washington-in developing and conducting on-site reviews for accreditation or performance assessment.