The California Department of Public Health, with support from PHIG funding, is actively addressing critical workforce shortages in public health laboratories, which have been exacerbated by years of underfunding and increasing infectious disease threats. By assessing staff vacancies and retention intentions, the department is laying the groundwork to enhance training, improve program effectiveness, and restore laboratory capabilities vital for safeguarding public health, particularly in rural and underserved communities. This PHIG-supported initiative is essential for ensuring a responsive and resilient laboratory workforce to meet current and emerging health challenges.