HomeMy WebLinkAboutLtr of Support - Health AccreditationDeschutes County Board of Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960
(541) 388-6570 -Fax (541) 385-3202 -www.deschutes.org
AGENDA REQUEST & STAFF REPORT
For Board Business Meeting of April 11, 2012
DATE: April 2, 2012
FROM: Laura Spaulding Health Services 541.322.7450
TITLE OF AGENDA ITEM:
Consideration of Board Signature on Letter of Support to Apply for National Public Health
Accreditation
PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS DATE? No
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
In 2010 the Board supported the Public Health Department in becoming the first health department in
the nation to become a beta-test site for National Public Health Accreditation. At that time it was
understood that when the opportunity arose, the department would then apply for actual Accreditation.
That opportunity is now available and one of the necessary documents to complete the application
process is a letter from the Board of County Commissioners supporting the project.
In becoming an accredited health department we assure best practices are being followed, continuous
quality improvement processes are in place and our clients are receiving the highest standard of service.
Accreditation encourages better communication and collaboration among staff, governing entities,
partners, community members and other external stakeholders. Because accreditation highlights the
capacity and capability of the health department, it may result in increased opportunities for resources
such as grants and pilot programs.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The fiscal implications are as follows: Year 1 $6,758
Year 2 5,068
Year 3 5,068
Year4 5,068
Year 5 5,068
The current year is in the budget and subsequent years will be in the budget.
RECOMMENDATION & ACTION REQUESTED:
It is recommended that the Board sign the letter of support for the Health Department to apply for
National Accreditation.
ATTENDANCE: Scott Johnson and Laura Spaulding
DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS:
Laura Spaulding
Board of Coun Commissioners
Dear Public Health Accreditation Board:
The Board of County Commissioners is the governing body for Deschutes County, Oregon, and
enthusiastically supports Deschutes County Health Services' application for National Public
Health Accreditation. We were proud to support Health Services through the beta-testing process,
and are committed to continuing to support them through the actual accreditation process.
Deschutes County is dedicated to evaluating local processes in order to establish standards of
excellence. We recognize that the accreditation process will promote high perfonnance and
continuous quality improvement within our Public Health Division. Additionally, we understand
that accreditation will validate the services of the Health Department and improve the visibility
of public health to the citizens we serve. We also look forward to the opportunity to increase
communication and collaboration among staff and with our external partners and stakeholders.
Deschutes County's Mission:
Enhancing the lives of our citizens by delivering quality services in a cost-effective manner.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
Anthony DeBone, Chair
Alan Unger, Vice Chair
Tammy Baney, Commissioner
Enhancing the Lives of Citizens by Delivering Quality Services in a Cost-Effective Manner