Accreditation

The Ottawa County Health Department is in the process of being accredited. We as an organization believe strongly in the benefits of becoming accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, and are committed to completing this process. We believe that the 10 Essential Public Health Services are a fundamental framework for our organization, and we are excited to incorporate these services in every facet of our agency.

10 Essential Public Health Services

The Core Public Health Functions Steering Committee developed the framework for the Essential Services in 1994. This steering committee included representatives from US Public Health Service agencies and other major public health organizations.

The Essential Services Provide a working definition of public health and a guiding framework for the responsibilities of local public health systems.

  1. Assess and monitor population health status, factors that influence health, and community needs and assets
  2. Investigate, diagnose, and address health problems and hazards affecting the population
  3. Communicate effectively to inform and educate people about health, factors that influence it, and how to improve it
  4. Strengthen, support, and mobilize communities and partnerships to improve health
  5. Create, champion, and implement policies, plans, and laws that impact health
  6. Utilize legal and regulatory actions designed to improve and protect the public’s health
  7. Assure an effective system that enables equitable access to the individual services and care needed to be healthy
  8. Build and support a diverse and skilled public health workforce
  9. Improve and innovate public health functions through ongoing evaluation, research, and continuous quality improvement
  10. Build and maintain a strong organizational infrastructure for public health
10 Essential Services