Success Stories
See firsthand stories of impact from the PHIG grant. From small wins to transformative changes, PHIG is fostering widespread innovation in public health systems and structures.
PHIG funding enabled the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services to partner with the Nevada Association of Counties (NACO) to assess county-level public health needs, which informed Nevada’s first-ever $15 million…
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Through PHIG funding, the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) equipped first-time managers with essential leadership skills by partnering with Leadership Louisville for a new manager’s training. This training has set a foundational standard for new managers, enhancing the experience for both managers and their teams. The program includes ongoing support, fostering retention and continuous growth. By investing in staff development, LMPHW demonstrates commitment to employee growth, with plans to sustain and expand the training as new staff are hired and promoted.
The Pima County Health Department is reshaping public health through a Human-Centered Design (HCD) approach that actively involves the community in program creation. Supported by PHIG funding, the department introduced HCD training courses for staff and partnered with Greater Good Studio to guide three teams in addressing key issues like tobacco prevention, mental health, and racial health. These teams, composed of staff and community members, are co-designing program improvements to reflect real needs and challenges. By early 2025, these efforts will result in community-led program changes and a sustainable HCD toolkit to guide future initiatives.
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has used PHIG funding to maintain key staff positions, achieving an impressive 88% retention rate from July 2023 to November 2024—an accomplishment that has stabilized and strengthened public health services across the city. To support these efforts, CDPH transformed employee onboarding with a digital, interactive module that employees can revisit as needed, making the experience more accessible and effective. Additionally, insights from over 200 employees who participated in a Belonging and Psychological Safety Survey have led to targeted improvements, such as Lunch & Learn sessions to address workplace culture and ongoing engagement. Leadership roles funded by PHIG, such as the Assistant Commissioner and Director of Planning and Research Development, provide these initiatives with essential support and direction, enabling CDPH to sustain these positive outcomes.
Public Health - Seattle & King County (PHSKC) is using PHIG funding to host regular forums with community leaders, who are paid for their time to participate in collaborative efforts toward creating more equitable processes when contracting with the department. Group members offer insight into the existing barriers, such as insurance requirements or language barriers, and how the department can improve outreach. These forums will contribute to quality improvement projects that increase opportunities and reduce barriers for community-based organizations to access funds through the department.
Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services is tackling the public health nursing shortage by implementing focused recruitment and retention strategies that are already showing positive results. With PHIG funding, Wisconsin has gathered workforce data from local, Tribal, and state health departments to monitor nurse retention, turnover, and advancement. Collaborating with ASTHO and other states, Wisconsin has drawn on effective practices, like San Diego's Residency Program, and is now exploring statewide “Public Health Nursing 101” training, regional hiring events, and mentorship programs to strengthen the nursing workforce. Additionally, Wisconsin is considering changes to allow non-U.S.-educated nurses to qualify as public health nurses. These practical steps position Wisconsin as a model for addressing public health nursing challenges.
