About Performance Standards
The National Public Health Performance Standards Program (NPHPSP) is a partnership among six national public health organizations with the goal of improving the quality of public health practice and the performance of public health systems. ASTHO supports states in their assessment preparation and implementation efforts and contributes to the development, implementation, and evaluation activities of the national program and the partnership. The NPHPSP assessments can help states identify areas for system improvement, strengthen their partnerships with state and local agencies, and ultimately assure that a strong system is in place.
The Assessments
The NPHPSP has three tools that are based on the ten Essential Public Health Services, and designed to assist state and local public health systems, and local governance entities in assessing and improving their public health systems or boards of health. The State Public Health System Performance Assessment measures the capacity and infrastructure of state public health systems and helps states to recognize where improvements can be made.
Using the State Assessment
The following tools and resources can help states organize system partners, obtain buy-in, and conduct a successful assessment.
NPHPSP Overview (ppt)
NPHPSP Promotional Video (video)
Related Resources and Other Instruments (video)
State Model Standards (pdf)
State Model Standards and Major Topics (doc)
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Assessment and Reporting Results
Many states issue reports on their assessment experiences, including successes and challenges of the process. These reports may also describe the assessment results and preliminary follow-up plans.
Developing Plans for Improvement
After reviewing assessment results, states can set priorities for action and develop a performance improvement plan. Here are some real-life examples of state-level efforts to create performance improvement plans for their public health systems.
Illinois State Health Improvement Plan (pdf)
New Hampshire's Public Health Improvement Action Plan (pdf)
Lessons Learned from States
The following documents and presentation highlight state health departments’ experiences.
An Examination of State Use of Performance Standards (pdf)
Getting Ready for National Accreditation: APHA 2008 (ppt)
Getting Ready for National Accreditation: Implementation of the NPHPSP State Instrument (pdf)
NPHPSP Partners
In addition to ASTHO, the NPHPSP Partners consist of CDC, NACCHO, NALBOH, NNPHI, and the PHF. Collectively, they contribute to the advancement of the program by providing technical assistance and support, and ensuring that the program and resources meet the needs of users.
Staff
Lindsey Caldwell, MPH, Senior Director, Performance Improvement
Joya Coffman, MS, CHES, Analyst, Performance Improvement
Jennifer Jimenez, MPH, Director, Performance and Workforce
Jim Pearsol, MEd, Chief, Public Health Performance