Training Public Health Advisors

Abstract

Federal public health advisors provide guidance and assistance to health departments to improve public health program work. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prepares them with specialized training in administering public health programs. This article describes the evolving training and is based on internal CDC documents and interviews. The first federal public health advisors worked in health departments to assist with controlling syphilis after World War II. Over time, more CDC prevention programs hired them. To meet emerging needs, 3 major changes occurred: the Public Health Prevention Service, a fellowship program, in 1999; the Public Health Associate Program in 2007; and integration of those programs. Key components of the updated training are competency-based training, field experience, supervision, recruitment and retention, and stakeholder support. The enduring strength of the training has been the experience in a public health agency developing practical skills for program implementation and management.

Service Learning in Public Health: Exploring the Benefit to Host Agencies in CDC's Public Health Associate Program

“…PHAP was initiated in 2007 in response to a marked decline in the number of field-based federal public health workers, 21 a trend reflective of the overall decrease in the size of the public health workforce nationally. 22–24 PHAP’s mission is to provide service-learning opportunities to early career professionals in public health.…”

“…Associates support essential public health services 25 (e.g., assessment) across diverse topical areas (e.g., preparedness). 21 Associates are paired with an agency staff-person who serves as their host site supervisor. That supervisor is responsible for daily oversight and for facilitating learning opportunities (e.g., access to local training, shadowing).…”

Early Evaluation Findings From a Federally Funded Training Program: The Public Health Associate Program

“…The goal was to establish a continuous source of public health professionals who could deliver front-line services at the federal, state, tribal, local, and territorial levels. 15 PHAP seeks to improve the capacity and capability of the public health workforce through recruitment, placement, and training of early-career professionals.…”

“…Associates complete assignments in health departments or nonprofit organizations across the country, referred to as “host sites.” 15 Since 2007, a total of 278 agencies have served as a host site. Assignments focus on public health program areas such as public health pre-paredness and response, tuberculosis elimination, and maternal and child health and are tailored to meet the unique needs of each host site.…”

“…Assignments focus on public health program areas such as public health pre-paredness and response, tuberculosis elimination, and maternal and child health and are tailored to meet the unique needs of each host site. 15 …”