Montana Pathways Learning Collaborative
The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) is the national organization that accredits governmental public health departments. In Montana, 8 health departments are currently accredited, serving about 62% of the state’s population. However, the remaining 52 local and tribal health departments face challenges and capacity constraints that serve as barriers to pursuing accreditation.
In an effort to facilitate accreditation readiness, PHAB launched the Pathways Recognition Program in 2022. This program helps smaller health departments prepare for accreditation by offering achievable standards based on national best practices.
In response to this, the Montana Public Health Institute and the Public Health System Improvement Office (PHSIO) partnered to launch the Montana Pathways Learning Collaborative. This two-year program provides peer learning, technical assistance, and flexible funding to help local and tribal health departments get accreditation-ready.
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Beaverhead County Public Health
Butte-Silver Bow City-County Health Department
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal Health
Lincoln County Health Department
Mineral County Health Department
Park City-County Health Department
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Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Public Health
Garfield County Health Department
Hill County Health Department
Jefferson County Health Department
Madison County Public Health Department
McCone County Public Health Department
Rocky Boy Health Center
Teton County Health Department
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Dawson
Fallon
Lake
Pondera
Toole
Public health accreditation is more than just checking a box – it’s a quality check for health departments that ultimately helps them improve how they serve their communities.
Whether it’s responding to disease outbreaks, recruiting and retaining skilled staff, or planning for emergencies, accreditation ensures that health departments are using best practices, being transparent, and continuously improving. This process builds trust and helps make sure every community – urban or rural – gets the best possible public health services.
Questions about the Montana Pathways Learning Collaborative?
Please contact Stefanie Tassaro.
This project is funded in whole by grant number(s) NE11OE000073 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The contents herein do not necessarily reflect the official views and policies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.