PHAB Accreditation
The Benton-Franklin Health District works hard to meet the customer’s expectations
and deliver quality services. In order to identify best practices 
within Public Health, BFHD has committed to hold itself to the standards outlined by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). Achieving accreditation demonstrates that BFHD has obtained certification of competency, authority, and credibility by meeting and maintaining ongoing requirements.
In 2016, after many years of dedicated work and preparation, BFHD received official accreditation status through PHAB. This new framework derived from
PHAB has shown greater focus directly related to public health services throughout the nation. Other agencies also strive to achieve this status as it seen as the gold standard for public health, including the Washington Department of Health who became accredited with PHAB in 2013.
One of the primary purposes for achieving and maintaining accreditation is to show the community that BFHD holds itself to the highest standards as an agency and in all the programs and services it provides. PHAB aligns their standards and measures with the 10 Essential Public Health Services, including adding two more “domains” focused on leadership and governance, resulting in the 12 PHAB Domains that guide and influence BFHD services and programs.
12 PHAB Domains:
Number 1: Conduct and disseminate assessments focused on population health status and public health issues facing the community
Number 2: Investigate health problems and environmental public health hazards to protect the community
Number 3: Inform and educate about public health issues and functions
Number 4: Engage with the community to identify and address health problems
Number 5: Develop public health policies and plans
Number 6: Enforce public health laws
Number 7: Promote strategies to improve access to health care services
Number 8: Maintain a competent public health workforce
Number 9: Evaluate and continuously improve health department processes, programs, and interventions
Number 10: Contribute to and apply the evidence base of public health
Number 11: Maintain administrative and management capacity
Number 12: Maintain capacity to engage the public health governing entity