Transtheoretical Model: Challenges and Successes on the Pathway to Accreditation

Through the journey toward public health accreditation for Kanawha-Charleston Health Department (KCHD), there have been many challenges in the process. Looking back, these unexpected challenges were in truth unforeseen, necessary phases. Beginning in 2009, Kanawha-Charleston began the pre-contemplation phase of accreditation. KCHD applying for accreditation seemed very straightforward and programmed; therefore our health department proceeded directly into what we thought was action. Challenges arose with progress and project leadership resulting in a stalemate between Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and the goal of obtaining Public Health Accreditation. We soon realized that our approach and implementation needed better direction. Moving from 2009 through 2012, pertinent criteria, incentivizing and planning fundamentals were put into place encouraging advancement from the contemplation stage to the preparation stage; including setting SMART objectives, hiring an accreditation coordinator and planning a strategic approach by departmental expertise. Getting to the action phase of the process took a long, unpredicted four years, much longer that we at Kanawha-Charleston Health Department projected. Once we implemented the correct measures, taking action by applying for accreditation took only a matter of ten months to complete pre application, application and document selection/submission. Being a leading Health Department in the state of West Virginia, applying for Public Health Accreditation still provided many unpredicted challenges that were overcome with proper approach, incentives and implementation.