Performance Standards Governance Assessment: Identifying Strategies for Quality Improvement Practices

Boards of health (BOH) are responsible for agency oversight, policy development, resource stewardship, quality improvement, partnership development, and legal authority. These boards have the authority to affect a health department's programs, services, and ability to become accredited. To ensure that the BOH is adequately fulfilling its governance functions, it is imperative for them to complete the National Public Health Performance Standards Program (NPHPSP) Governance Assessment. Since the early 2000s, BOH have been completing the NPHPSP Governance Assessment. Through this assessment, boards have been measuring their level of oversight for each of the 10 Essential Public Health Services. Governance questions address standards and measures reflected in accreditation. From this assessment, BOH can identify areas in which they need improvement to better fulfill their governance functions. Results from the NPHPSP Governance Assessment have been used in various ways. Some of the most recent, common methods BOH have used assessment data is for health improvement planning and strategic planning; both of which are public health accreditation pre-requisites. Each of these important public health efforts assists communities in protecting and improving health for individuals of all ages. Local public health begins with good governance, and BOH routinely need to measure their governance abilities to ensure they are appropriately completing their oversight roles and responsibilities for a local health department. If a BOH can become informed on their governance abilities and area(s) for improvement, they can use this feedback to better position a local health department to face future community needs.