Gold: Recognition could bring health department money

Just a few years ago, the Kane County Health Department laid off half its employees and cut the department’s $13 million budget in half.

Now, as of Nov. 19, it is the only county health department in Illinois to receive national accreditation.

County officials celebrated the achievement Tuesday afternoon.

“This is the gold standard for providing quality services in an organization,” health department Executive Director Barb Jeffers said. “In comparison, when we seek out our hospitals and schools, we all want the best. You know you are getting that through accreditation.”

Until just a few years ago, there was no national accreditation body for public health departments. The Chicago Department of Public Health is the only other health department in Illinois to receive national accreditation, and only 22 other public health departments in the country have successfully gone through the process.

The evaluation process by the Public Health Accreditation Board took six months and more than 1,000 pages of documentation. The nonprofit evaluated the department in about 10 areas, including environmental public health, health education, chronic disease prevention and control, maternal and child health, and access to clinical services.

Jeffers said she believes the accreditation will boost the county’s health ranking, as determined by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The organization, which provides funding for the Public Health Accreditation Board, ranked Kane County the 12th healthiest county in Illinois in its most recent rankings. Its best ranking was eighth.

County board Chairman Chris Lauzen told Jeffers the challenge now is to use the accreditation to leverage outside funding for the health department. Jeffers said the department will seek a grant writer to help seek funds from nontraditional sources, such as private companies.

“We cannot afford to lose this opportunity,” Jeffers said.

The accreditation is good for five years. After that, the entire evaluation process starts over with an even higher standard.

“There is yearly reporting the next five years, and it will continue to get a little tougher each time,” Jeffers said. “That’s why we have to continue to strive toward excellence.”

Jeffers also said the accreditation will lure higher-quality employees. The department just added a one-year interim director of animal control after nearly an entire year of debate and two open application periods.

“Everybody wants to be on a winning team, and now Kane County is it,” Jeffers said. “This accreditation will give us greater national, state and local visibility.”

Gold: Recognition could bring health department money