Contact:
Patti Roberts, PIO
Patricia.roberts@flhealth.gov
(850) 892-8015

DeFuniak Springs, Florida. — The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) reaccredited the Florida Department of Health, which includes the Walton County Health Department, as an integrated health department for another five years. This seal of accreditation signifies that the unified Florida Department of Health, which includes the State Health Office and the 67 county health departments, meets or exceeds national standards for public health performance management and continuous quality improvement. The Department demonstrated a focus on accountability and performance to improve the health of communities throughout the state.

"We are so pleased to again be recognized by PHAB for achieving national standards that foster effectiveness and promote continuous quality improvement as we strive to provide the best services to the citizens of Walton county," said Holly Holt, RN, BSN, MSM, Administrator. “By improving our services and performance, we become increasingly effective at improving the health of the population we serve."

Using the PHAB standards, the Walton County Health Department  works through the Walton Community Health Improvement Partnership (WCHIP) to identify and address local priorities like affordable and attainable housing, food insecurity, substance use and access to mental health services. WCHIP consist of over 50 community organizations, local governments, and others to ensure we are collectively working together to make our communities a healthier place to live, learn, work, play, worship, and age.

PHAB praised the Department for operating as a collaborative and effective integrated system noting that the inter-county collaboration is evident through shared programs and positions across the state. PHAB applauded staff across the integrated system for being highly dedicated, passionate, and proud of their work around improving the health of the communities they serve. PHAB also commended the Department for maintaining a continued commitment to accreditation.

PHAB, the nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that administers the national accrediting program, works to improve and protect the public's health by advancing and transforming the quality and performance of governmental public health departments in the United States.

About the Florida Department of Health in Walton County

The Florida Department of Health in Walton County nationally accredited as part of an Integrated Local Public Health Department System by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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