By: Pascale D. Edouard, DrPH, Program Manager | Public Health AmeriCorps Center for Advancing Healthy Communities
Earlier this year, NACDD was awarded a three-year Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA) grant to address current public health workforce deficits and build the capacity of State Health Departments responding to the pandemic.
The two primary goals of PHA are to:
- Address the public health needs of local communities by providing support in states and local public health settings and advancing more equitable health outcomes in underserved communities; and
- To create pathways to good quality public health-related careers through onsite experience and training, with a focus on recruiting AmeriCorps members who reflect the communities in which they will serve.
The last three-months, NACDD has been working diligently to develop the PHA program, collaborating with Building Resilient and Inclusive Communities (BRIC) team leads and states and the YMCA of the USA leaders and State Alliances. We’ve reached one of many milestones during our program development efforts, PHA Service Member recruitment. On November 21, we officially initiated recruitment for Service Members.
As such, we are recruiting 20 Service Members to support existing state- and community-level action plans in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across 10 states. During their year of service, Service Members will engage in work addressing:
- Food nutrition and security;
- Improved access to physical activity; and
- Reduced social isolation and loneliness.
You can find more information about NACDD’s PHA Program, Service Opportunity Listings, and how to apply here. We are accepting applications until 1/13/2023.
Individuals and/or students who are interested in learning more about the program can also register and join us for one of our two upcoming informational webinars on:
We’re asking that you share the service opportunities with your personal networks as we work to recruit future public health professionals/leaders and ensure the development of a fully competent public health workforce.
Learn more about the Center for Advancing Healthy Communities.