Wednesday, May 14, 2025
5/14/2025
Category B: Chronic Disease Specialists - Background and Need: While every state in the US faces the challenge of chronic diseases, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Healthy People 2020, not all states have formal, comprehensive plans dedicated to addressing them. However, most states engage in activities and initiatives that indirectly address chronic diseases, even if they are not part of a unified plan. Public Health 3.0 recognizes the need for a strong, diverse workforce capable of working in structured coalitions, leveraging actionable data, and communicating inside and outside of the traditional health sector. However, public health workforce assessments have identified gaps in strategic skills and the need for effective training to development them. Purpose and Approach: The purpose of our application is to strengthen the capacity of Chronic Disease Specialists (CDSs). CDSs are defined as public health professionals working on chronic disease including chronic disease directors, directors of health promotion, chronic disease program practitioners, environmental health specialists, and others, to plan, coordinate, implement, and assess effective chronic disease initiatives, working in partnership with communities and other sectors. PHI has selected Category B: Workforce Segments for Strategy 1 activities. We propose to improve planning and delivery of chronic disease services in governmental public health departments by building the capacity of the current CDS workforce. PHI will utilize: 1) focused cohorts, which provide opportunities for intensive learning in small groups; and 2) access to national networks and national webinar and speaker series. This will allow us to reach a broader national audience and address the capacity-building assistance (CBA) needs of the population of focus more widely. Outcomes: During the period of performance, PHI will implement strategies and activities to achieve increased availability of and access to CBA services and products; enhanced skill and ability to support decision-making toward applying recommended processes, policies, programs, and practices; and increased implementation and sharing of recommended processes, policies, programs, and practices. By the end of year 1, PHI will have built the capacity of 2 cohorts of 4 CDS (with up to 3-4 supporting team members) representing up to 8 distinct geographic areas demonstrate improved capacity to design and implement CD programs. Strategies and Activities: To achieve this outcome of CDS workforce development, PHI develop and implement a national Chronic Disease Capacity Building Initiative (CDCBI) program to support CDC in strengthening national capacity to address chronic disease. PHI’s strategy will be divided into three key activity areas: - Focused CDS cohort training (intensive learning in small groups) - Supporting CDSs nationwide with access to national chronic disease networks, communities of practice, webinars, and virtual conversations - Evaluation and Improvement Our chronic disease experience and capacity: PHI has the geographic, programmatic, and functional expertise required to build capacity of leaders and organizations to improve chronic disease and public health. Currently, PHI implements 67 programs and initiatives with nation and global reach, all working to advance health equity, address chronic disease, well-being, and improve the social conditions and health of underserved, vulnerable populations. In that time period, we have held 19 prime awards for a total of $88M+ including multiple projects to build chronic disease capacity. PHI’s strong administrative and operational platform creates a flexible, scalable and cost-effective infrastructure for this program. PHI’s CDCBI team comprises an experienced team of current PHI chronic disease specialists and learning design professionals complemented by external consultants/public health practitioners and evaluators.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).