Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Preparing Local and Tribal Health Departments for PHAB Pathways Recognition
5 out of 6
Health departments
In the initial cohort are pursuing PHAB Pathways Recognition.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) created the Pathways to Recognition Learning Collaborative to help local and Tribal health departments prepare to apply for Pathways Recognition through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The collaborative provides a structured roadmap for completing the required standards and measures through coordinated technical assistance, peer-to-peer mentorship, and flexible Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) funding. Participants meet through monthly virtual calls, in-person sessions, and a virtual learning community to share progress, troubleshoot challenges, and learn from one another.
Early results point to progress toward recognition and stronger organizational practices. Participating health departments reported higher self-assessment scores across the Pathways domains after the collaborative than before it, and five of the six health departments in the initial cohort are pursuing formal PHAB Pathways Recognition. Participants also updated plans and processes, strengthened retirement and succession planning, reviewed their performance against national standards, and accessed training and technical assistance tailored to Montana’s local and Tribal public health context. The model offers other jurisdictions a practical way to help health departments move from assessing gaps to addressing them. By combining a standards-based roadmap with regular peer exchange, coordinated technical assistance, and flexible funding, jurisdictions can adapt the approach to their own public health systems and readiness needs.
PHIG PPI Pilot Disclaimer
This practice was reviewed and classified during the 2025 PHIG Promising Practices Initiative pilot using the pilot version of the scoring rubric. Following the pilot, the rubric was refined based on lessons learned to strengthen practice classification and supporting documentation requirements. These refinements were applied to future practice reviews.
PHIG PPI Disclaimer
The Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) Promising Practice Initiative (PPI) showcases practices that PHIG recipients have successfully implemented so that public health professionals across the country can adapt evidence-based approaches to their work.
In this context, a PHIG Promising Practice refers to an action taken by a PHIG recipient and made possible through PHIG funding or support (directly or indirectly). This action demonstrates evidence of positive change through interventions, activities, programs, strategies, policies, procedures, or processes.
PHIG Promising Practices are evaluated on a continuum as Novel, Emerging, Promising, or Best.