The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) believes that state-based leadership and expertise in chronic disease prevention and control are vital. As such, NACDD was awarded a Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA) grant from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention joined forces to launch PHA, a five-year, $400 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act.

PHA supports the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of public health leaders who will be ready to respond to the nation’s public health needs. The two main goals of the program include:

• Addressing public health needs of local communities by providing support in state and local public health settings and advancing more equitable health outcomes for underserved communities; and
  
  
• Creating 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.

In collaboration with the Building Resilient and Inclusive Communities (BRIC) and YMCA of the USA, the program engages 20 Service Members across 10 BRIC states to support existing state- and community-level action in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Service Members will assist states in addressing food and nutrition security, improving access to safe physical activity opportunities, and/or reducing social isolation and loneliness through policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change approaches. In addition to supporting BRIC states, added benefits to the Service Members include, but are not limited to: 

• Access to group-based and individual mentoring and coaching;
• Increased public health training, professional awareness, and accumulated real-world experience to enhance job competence following completion of service year; and
• Joining a network of like-minded leaders who are passionate about improving communities and the health and wellbeing of community members.

Among the program outcomes is to have at least 25% of participating Service Members commit to pursuing a professional career in the public health sector at the conclusion of their service year.