The Christian County Health Department plans to submit documentation in January to become just the 23rd nationally-accredited health department in the country.
Assistant director Laura Hammons says the accreditation would be a boon for the county.
“It shows a demonstrated accountability and improved quality of service that we provide,” Hammons said. “It means that people across the country can expect the same quality of public health programs and services no matter where they live.”
Hammons said the health department has been making changes for the last three years with this goal in mind, including a Public Health Accreditation Board mock site visit in November.
Currently, three of the 22 nationally-accredited health departments are in Kentucky: the Franklin County Health Department, the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department in Edgewood and the Three Rivers District Health Department in Owenton.
Hammons said once the health department submits its application, it could take up to six months for the PHAB to visit. Hammons said she hopes for Christian County to be accredited before the end of 2014.