A strong public health infrastructure provides the capacity to prepare for and respond to emerging and ongoing threats to the public’s health. Accreditation through the national Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) is voluntary and provides an opportunity to strengthen the public health infrastructure and improve quality and performance of public health agencies. PHAB standards address delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services beginning with routine assessment of population health needs and identification of health improvement priorities in our communities.

Currently, there are 3 local health jurisdictions that are accredited.  These constitute 7.5% of CT's population. The 3 PHAB accreditited LHDs are Norwalk, Stratford, and Naugatuck Valley Health District. The ideal goal is to have 100% of Connecticut's residents receiving services from an accredited health department/district to enhance consistency in public health practice and services provided.  Due to the labor intensive efforts associated with preparing for national accreditation, a more realistic target for 2022 is set at 36% of the total population.  

This indicator has been adapted from the original HCT 2020 indicator for consistency with national accreditation indicators. This data are current as of July 2021. 

Connecticut Department of Public Health, Office of Policy and Management, local public health agencies, public health professional associations, municipal governments and planning agencies, other organizations and coalitions that address public health, community service organizations serving specific populations (children, older adults, underserved populations), health care providers, health professional associations, academic institutions that prepare the public health workforce, philanthropic organizations that address public health infrastructure, and others

Funding and governing entity support for administration and facility improvements, technical assistance and mentorship by other accredited public health agencies, understanding the value and benefits of public health accreditation.

Am J Public Health. 2011 September; 101(9): 1543–1548. Informing the National Public Health Accreditation Movement: Lessons From North Carolina's Accredited Local Health Departments. Mary V. Davis, DrPH, MSPH, Margaret M. Cannon, MPH, David O. Stone, MS, Brittan W. Wood, MPH, Joy Reed, EdD, RN, and Edward L. Baker, MD, MPH, MSc

For current year strategies and actions, click here (right click to open link).

Provide financial incentives to health jurisdictions for accreditation and reaccreditation.

Align Community Health Improvement Plans with goals and strategies in Healthy Connecticut 2025.

Establish linkages with educational institutions to assist with workforce development, technical assistance and training.

Investigate cross jurisdictional sharing of services as a way to more efficiently and effectively deliver public health services.