New Releases
Annual Survey – Thank YOU!
Thank you to everyone who completed the 2020 NCLHD Accreditation Annual Survey. We know that you are busier than ever, and you many of you still made the time to share your feedback into the program – Thank YOU! We will be presenting the results of the survey during the September 24th webinar, Your Superhero Squad (see details below). Following the webinar, the survey results will be posted on our website under “Research & Data.”
Health Department Self-Assessment Instrument (HDSAI) Interpretation Document Changes – Open Comment Period
A workgroup has been established to review the HDSAI Interpretation document and make recommendations for changes. We would like everyone to have an opportunity to provide feedback on these changes, therefore, we will be holding an open comment period in November. Anyone who is interested in providing feedback would benefit from joining the November 5th webinar, The Accreditation Origin Story (visit our website for more details), however, viewing the webinar is not a requirement for providing feedback.
For more information about the HDSAI Interpretation document open comment period please visit our website.
2020 Webinar Series
The NCLHD Accreditation Program is offering a free monthly webinar series through June 2021. The next webinar, Your Superhero Squad, will be held September 24th from 10—11:30 a.m. The webinar will focus on engaging staff in the accreditation process. We will also be releasing the 2019-2020 NCLHD Accreditation Annual Report and Annual Survey Results during the webinar. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Register here.
The recording of the August 20 webinar,Your Superhero Utility Belt, is posted on our website.
Information about upcoming webinars is posted on the Webinar Series page of our website.
Accreditation in Action
New Agency Accreditation Coordinator Training September 15th 2020: Registration closes September 8th
The New AAC Training will be held on September 15th from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.The New AAC Training provides a basic overview of the accreditation process and the role of the AAC. The training is for new AACs, co-AACs and back-up AACs. The training is offered bi-annually, each spring and fall. Due to COVID-19, the spring 2020 training will be held on-line with no registration fee (the registration fee typically covers the cost of the facility and lunch). Registration is limited to 25 people. A waitlist will be created, if needed. Registration will close at 5 p.m. on September 8th. Register here.
Recruitment for Practice Co-Chair of NCPHA Academic and Practice-Based Research (APBR) Section
Does your agency excel in Benchmark 25 regarding building relationships with entities that conduct education or research to enrich public health practice? Is a staff member at your agency particularly passionate about linking public health practice in your local health department with academic training, consultation, and research? If so, check out the APBR Section on the NCPHA website. The section is always seeking and welcoming new members, but is also currently seeking a Practice Co-Chair (to serve alongside the Academic Co-Chair) to assist with section leadership and initiatives. To find out more information or express your interest, please contact Cheryl Kovar (KOVARC15@ecu.edu), Terri Wilson (trwilson9267@gmail.com), or Amy Belflower Thomas (amy.b.thomas@unc.edu).
NCLHD Accreditation – Tips and Tricks – Operational Plan Report
The Operational Plan will show you all Activities, Notes/Comments, Team Member and Leads for each Activity and can show all the documents that have been uploaded. It is a quick and easy way to see all the information that has been added to your plan. To view the operational plan:
Select the Reports Menu 
from the top Quick-Access Menu or the Main Menu.
Select View or Print the Operational Plan Report.
To see the information that has been added at the Activity Level, select Activity next to Level at the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Additional details on running the Operation Plan report are available in the NCLDHA Dashboard User Guide
Key Dates
New Agency Accreditation Training – September 15, 2020 8:30 a.m. — 2 p.m. Webinar. The New AAC training provides a basic overview of the accreditation process and the role of the AAC. The training is for new AACs, co-AACs and back-up AACs. There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register here.
Your Superhero Squad — September 24, 10—11:30 a.m. Webinar. Engaging staff in the accreditation process is important for agency quality improvement. This webinar will focus on strategies for staff engagement, the 2019 -2020 NCLHD Accreditation Annual Report and 2020 Annual Survey Results will also be shared during the webinar. There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register here.
NCLHD Accreditation Board Meeting – November 20th, 2020. 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. TBD. The agenda will be posted by November 13th.
Tips and Tricks for Accreditation Success: Stories From the Field
Caswell County: Strengthening Collaboration and Partnering in New Ways with Community Healthcare Providers and Other Agencies
According to Marcy Williams, Caswell County Health Department AAC:
“COVID-19 has brought public health to the forefront as first responders and as health care providers. As with counties across NC, Caswell County Health Department has partnered with some local health care providers for years. However, due to COVID-19, we have been able to establish new relationships with area nursing homes, as well as some other county departments, like Solid Waste. Additionally, we have strengthened our relationships with the local prisons, Emergency Services, 911, law enforcement, volunteer fire, and even Cooperative Extension. Most of these previously mentioned partners and agencies have been involved in some capacity in community testing. Caswell County Health Department partnered with our local Cooperative Extension agents to reach our farmworker populations to educate farmworkers on COVID-19 and provide PPE. We partnered with Emergency Services and have utilized one of their paramedics in the community paramedic capacity, which is a new role locally. That paramedic has been a great asset to the county and has gone out to homes with known positives to check vital signs and assess for any needs. There has been at least one instance where the paramedic found abnormal vital signs and recommended hospital care. That patient was hospitalized and was able to return home after a few days in the hospital. We hate to think what might have happened had the paramedic not discovered the abnormal vital signs in a timely fashion. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners and develop innovative and collaborative ideas even after the COVID-19 situation subsides and other projects and topics can benefit from our partnerships and relationships.”
For more information, contact Marcy Williams at mwilliams@caswellnc.us
We Want to Hear from You!
Share your tips and tricks for accreditation success with other local health departments across the state. If you have a tip or trick that you would like to share, send a summary- no more than 500 words- including the activity addressed and any lessons learned. Please send your submission to NCLHDaccreditation@unc.edu. Stories will be shared via these monthly highlights.