August 20, 2024 — Today, the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) announced that the Siskiyou County Health Department has been recognized as the first local health department to achieve the prestigious Pathways Recognition. This recognition marks a significant milestone in the department’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

“Receiving PHAB Pathways recognition is a testament to our commitment to delivering the highest standards of public health services,” says Shelly Davis, MN BSN-RN PHN CCHP, Director of Public Health/Correctional Health Services for Siskiyou County. “It means that our department is meeting nationally recognized benchmarks, ensuring that we are effectively protecting and improving the health of our community.”

To be Pathways recognized, health departments must successfully meet the full set of national consensus standards set forth by PHAB. These standards, or “foundational public health services,” define the minimum package of public health capabilities that no jurisdiction can be without. To achieve Pathways recognition, health departments must meet 34 measures divided into two tracks: Services and Partnerships and Health Department Systems. The program also supports eligible health departments in preparing for the pursuit of full accreditation, as the 34 Pathways measures are part of the 84 total measures required for full initial accreditation.

“This is truly a landmark achievement for public health and for all of Siskiyou County,” says PHAB President and CEO Paul Kuehnert, DNP, RN, FAAN. “Achieving Pathways Recognition is no small feat. It requires a deep commitment to quality and performance enhancement. I commend the leaders and staff of the Siskiyou County Health Department for leading the way and setting a high bar for other health departments to follow.”

The Pathways Recognition program assesses health departments on Foundational Capability measures, which include health promotion, disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and community engagement. Siskiyou County Health Department’s accomplishment showcases its ability to meet these measures and its readiness for accreditation.

“The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) joins PHAB in congratulating Siskiyou County Health Department on achieving the first Pathways Recognition,” says Lori Tremmel Freeman, NACCHO CEO. “As an initiative that resulted from members of NACCHO and PHAB’s Boards responding to the need for supporting health departments not yet ready for accreditation, approaches like this help support and recognize the tremendous accomplishments of even more health departments who provide excellent service and make a meaningful impact on their communities.”

The Siskiyou County Health Department’s journey to this recognition has been marked by a comprehensive review of its policies, practices, and performance against nationally recognized standards. The department’s success in the Pathways Recognition program positions it as a leader in public health and a model for other local and Tribal health departments seeking to provide foundational public health services to their communities.

Siskiyou County Health Department Public Information Officer Angie Cook, MPRM, says, “This recognition is important because it builds trust within our community, knowing that their health and well-being are supported by a department that is continually striving for excellence.”

For more information about this topic or other public health accreditation topics, please visit PHAB’s website: phaboard.org.

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About the Public Health Accreditation Board
The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) is a 501(c)(3) organization and is the sole national accrediting body for public health in the U.S. PHAB supports health departments in their work to serve their communities with many tools and resources, and helps strengthen health department infrastructure, workforce, and data modernization efforts to promote public health system transformation. To learn more about PHAB, visit phaboard.org.