Carol Moehrle Public Health – Idaho North Central District April 19, 2016 Public Health Department Accreditation: A Status Update for Tribes

General PHAB Update

Public Health Accreditation Board PHAB is national accrediting organization for public health departments: State health departments Local (city, county, regional) health departments Tribal health departments Territorial health departments

Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) The goal of the voluntary national accreditation program is to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing and ultimately transforming the quality and performance of state,local,Tribal and territorial public health departments.

Tribal Health Department Definition A federally recognized Tribal government*, Tribal organization or inter-Tribal consortium as defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, as amended, with jurisdictional authority to provide public health services, as evidenced by constitution, resolution, ordinance, executive order or other legal means, intended to promote and protect the Tribe’s overall health, wellness and safety; prevent disease; and respond to issues and events are eligible to apply. *As evidenced by inclusion on the list of recognized Tribes mandated under 25 U.S.C. § 479a-1. Publication of List of Recognized Tribes. Federally recognized Tribal governments may carry out the above public health functions in a cooperative manner through formal agreement, formal partnership or formal collaboration.

Why Were The Accredited Health Departments Interested in Accreditation: Their Comments Transparency and Accountability Most other governmental and health related services are accredited: hospitals, schools, child care centers, police departments, fire departments, etc. Provides a priority setting framework Commitment to improving their services Increased public engagement and support Increased staff morale Potential for increased funding in the future

PHAB’s Partnership With Tribes

PHAB/NIHB MOU and Related Work NIHB’s Exploring Tribal Public Health Accreditation Project MOU with NIHB Tribal Think Tank Tribal Health Department Beta Test Sites Tribal Standards Workgroup PHAB/NIHB National Call for Tribal Input Feedback from NIHB’s Tribal Public Health Accreditation Advisory Board

Initial Tribal Standards Workgroup “[Using the PHAB standards and measures] provided a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the public health department.”

Tribal Beta Test Sites Cherokee Nation Health Service (OK) Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Department of Health& Human Services (MI) The Navajo Nation Division of Health (AZ)

PHAB Tribal Board Member Joe Finkbonner Executive Director, National Portland Area Indian Health Board

Tribal Support One pager educational sheet on accreditation and Tribal health departments – done and updated regularly Webinar series on accreditation and Tribal health departments - done Ongoing identification and development of accreditation support materials for Tribal health departments and accreditation NIHB has an ex-officio seat on the PHAB Board

Accreditation Support Initiative (AS) CDC provides funding through the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) for accreditation support. PHAB works with NIHB to ensure that they have what they need to support this work. The current ASI sites are: –Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma –Forest County Potawatomi Community, Wisconsin –Ho-Chunk Nation, Wisconsin –Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Montana –Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi, Michigan –Oneida Nation, Wisconsin –Pasqua Yaqui Tribe, Arizona

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