Resources for New Health Officials

Health officials engaged in discussion during CDC’s 2019 Orientation for New Health Officials.

The Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support (CSTLTS) was established to support and improve the capacity and performance of the public health system at all levels. The CSTLTS mission is to improve community health outcomes by strengthening state, tribal, local, and territorial public health agencies. This crucial goal can be achieved through meaningful collaboration and partnership with the leaders of the public health system. CSTLTS works within CDC and in the field to identify gaps, opportunities for collaboration, and strategies to support and enhance public health work.

Navigating CDC and learning about the various forms of assistance available to health officials can be confusing. The following resources can help.

Get Assistance from CDC

• CDC Orientation for New Health Officials
  Information about CDC’s annual event
• Examples of Resources Available to State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Health Agencies pdf icon[PDF – 241 KB]
  Various CDC resources for health agency staff, including educational materials and information about fellowships, workforce development, technical assistance, and direct assistance
• CDC Support to Health Officials
  Guidance on how CDC can help you respond to emerging local health concerns
• Requesting an Epi-Aid
  A mechanism for public health authorities to request the short-term epidemiologic assistance of CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service officers to respond to urgent public health problems
• CDC’s Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development
  Support and services for state and local health departments

Subscribe to Alerts & Updates

• Alerts About Current & Projected Funding Opportunities
  Guidance on searching for current and upcoming funding opportunities and subscribing to email alerts
• Stay Current on Health Alerts & Emergencies
  Resources for health officials to stay informed about current and emerging public health issues
• News & Alerts
  Newsletters, subscriptions, bulletins, and other CDC resources targeted to public health professionals

Improve Health in Your Jurisdiction

• The Public Health System and the 10 Essential Public Health Services
  Information about the components of the US public health system and which public health activities communities should undertake
• The Guide to Community Preventive Servicesexternal icon
  Online guide of what works to promote healthy communities
• Ten Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Became a Health Officer [PDF – 772KB]external icon
  Frieden TR. American Journal of Public Health 2016;106:1214–8.

Explore CSTLTS Programs That Can Support Your Work

• Public Health Associate Program
  The Public Health Associate Program (PHAP) places early-career public health professionals in state, tribal, local, and territorial public health agencies; learn more about applying to become a PHAP host site
• Public Health Law Program
  The Public Health Law Program provides guidance or information on legal matters pertaining to certain aspects of public health
• Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant
  The Preventive and Health Services Block Grant provides all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 2 American Indian tribes, and 8 US territories with funding to address their unique public health needs
• Grantee Highlights – Read how states, territories, and tribes have used block grant funds to improve health in their communities
• Cooperative Agreements, Grants & Partnerships:
  CSTLTS coordinates various cooperative agreements to provide capacity-building assistance to health departments and other public health partners

Are there American Indian/Alaska Native communities in your jurisdiction?

CDC works collaboratively with tribes, tribal-serving organizations, and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities to ensure AI/AN people receive public health services that keep them safe and healthy. Visit CDC’s Tribal Health website to find helpful information and tools, including tribal geography in relation to state boundaries,  AI/AN contributions to public health, a training to help government officials effectively engage with tribes, and resources for addressing health challenges and disparities experienced by AI/AN communities.