The QIA Division supports the continuous improvement of Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD)’s programs, services, and policy efforts. The
Division’s work is carried out through four program areas:
ACPHD Strategic Plan: ACPHD’s Strategic Plan undergirds the mission to optimize population health and advance equity across all programs, services, and policy efforts. QIA plays a key role in supporting the Leadership Team by coordinating the implementation of the plan, monitoring progress toward strategic goals, and providing administrative and operational support to ensure accountability and alignment across the Department’s strategic initiatives.
Quality Improvement: Quality Improvement programming oversees department-level QI efforts, including sustained accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) and technical assistance for ACPHD programs and services that helps to measure impact. In addition to conducting department-wide QI projects, this work is linked to the department’s commitment to formalized program performance management and the implementation of Alameda County’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
Workforce Development: Workforce Development programs provide tailored skill development and technical assistance to all ACPHD staff. Services align with the Essential Public Health Services and the Foundational Capabilities framework, ensuring that all staff are equipped to deliver high-quality, equitable public health services.
Through ongoing training and professional development opportunities, the services strengthen the workforce’s capacity to demonstrate excellence in ACPHD’s Public Health Core Competencies. This work is carried out in close collaboration with a diverse array of community-based,
academic, and public sector partners, with a particular focus on building and sustaining the public health workforce pipeline to meet current and future community needs.
Councils and Commissions: QIA serves as the backbone for several external-facing groups connected to the Public Health Department, including the Age-Friendly Council, the Developmental Disabilities Council, the Oakland Transitional Grant Area (TGA) Planning Council, and the Alameda County Public Health Commission. As a backbone entity, QIA provides staffing, technical assistance, and other essential resources that strengthen these groups’ capacity for leadership development, informed decision-making, and community engagement. Through this support, QIA helps ensure that external partners are empowered to advance equitable, community-driven public health priorities.
Innovations: Launched in 2022, the Innovations Team enhances ACPHD’s ability to tackle complex public health challenges through creativity, collaboration, and evidence-based practice. The team provides a supportive and well-resourced environment for designing, testing, and evaluating new programs, services, and policies that improve health, safety, and well-being throughout Alameda County. Innovations incubates department-wide efforts to build capacity through program design, evaluation, technical assistance, and grant management. By partnering with staff, community organizations, and residents, the team fosters innovative solutions that create systemic change and strengthen population health. Current project are the Office of Violence Prevention, Community Capacity Development, and ACPHD’s status as an Academic Health Department.