At a glance
Public Health AmeriCorps is a groundbreaking initiative made possible through partnership between CDC and AmeriCorps and is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. The program supports efforts to build a strong and diverse workforce that is ready to respond to the nation’s public health needs.
Our Shared Vision
Announced September 2021, Public Health AmeriCorps provides a pathway to recruit, train, and develop the next generation of public health leaders. This program leverages the expertise of CDC and AmeriCorps. It capitalizes on AmeriCorps' experience managing some of the most prominent public service and workforce development programs in the nation. It also benefits from CDC's technical expertise as the country's leading public health agency. This 5-year grant program provides
- Grantee organizations with workforce support
- Members with pathways to public health careers
Grantee Organizations
In July 2024, AmeriCorps announced the third year of grant awards totaling more than $76 million to 89 organizations. This includes more than $41 million in new funds. Grant funds will be used to continue building the capacity of the public health workforce. Focus areas include fields such as mental health, substance use disorder recovery, and disease prevention.
Eligible organizations included
- Indian Tribes
- Institutions of higher education
- Local governments
- Public health departments
- Nonprofit organizations
- State service commissions
- States and U.S. Territories
This announcement builds on the first two years of funding, which provided nearly $160 million to 108 organizations. This supports more than 4,700A AmeriCorps members, adding capacity to our strained public health system. It also helps these members develop skills that can lead to public health careers. Of the 89 grantees, 11 serve rural communities, 34 serve urban areas, and 27 serve both rural and urban communities.
The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology released a report on the public health workforce. It recognizes Public Health AmeriCorps as an example of leadership development and investment in future public health leaders.
Individual Members
Opportunities for Individuals
Check out Make Your Mark with Public Health AmeriCorps to learn more about becoming a member.
Benefits
- Hands-on experience
- Training from experts
- Living allowance
- Education award
- Student loan deferment / forbearance
Project Focus Areas
- Health equity and social determinants of health
- Readiness and response
- Access to services and reducing barriers to care
- Mental health and substance use
- Food access and nutrition
Activities
- Health education and training
- Community outreach and engagement
- System navigation, referrals, and linkage to care
- Coaching, counseling, and peer support
Our Shared Successes
Public Health AmeriCorps Bolsters Pima County Workforce with Student Intern Program
"I chose to intern at Pima County Health Department because...
Public Health AmeriCorps enhances Pima County Health Department's (PCHD) workforce by placing students from the University of Arizona into PCHD. Student interns address public health needs (e.g., emergency preparation, health equity, etc.) while increasing PCHD's capacity to serve the public. The internship allows students to gain practical work experience and improve skills that will be beneficial when entering the workforce. Jacqueline Larson, an environmental health technician intern at PCHD, told Pima County Newsroom "this internship has allowed me a glance into the work the Health Department does in preventing infectious disease from mosquitoes and practicing surveillance methods".
Developing Leadership in Residents through Public Service, Emphasizing Public Health and Health Equity
Ousmane Diallo, a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Health Corps program member, serves as a Community Engagement Officer at an NYC Health Department public health clinic. Ms. Diallo has been able to provide public health services (e.g., counseling on sexual and reproductive health) to underserved communities by breaking language barriers. Ms. Diallo speaks five different languages (Fulani, French, Susu, Mandingo, and English) and has entered different cultural spaces that her colleagues are unable to. This is Ms. Diallo second year participating in the program and believes any NYCHA residents who are considering applying to NYCHA Health Corps should “go for it”. “They provide comprehensive training programs for free, offering access to a wide range of resources to support your career growth” – Ms. Diallo.
Youth Mental Health Corps Builds from the Success of Public Health AmeriCorps
Youth Mental Health Corps Builds from the Success of Public Health AmeriCorps
Younger generations are struggling with a mental health crisis; the second leading cause of death among 10–14-year-olds is suicide. Youth Mental Health Corps supports schools and communities by recruiting 18–24-year-olds to provide mental health support. It builds on the success from Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA), a collaborative partnership with CDC and AmeriCorps. PHA brings AmeriCorps members into nonprofits and municipalities to address urgent health needs of young people and their families. Youth Mental Health Corps is a state-embedded approach to mental health that involves hiring and training 18-24-year-olds to provide mental health support to students across 11 states.
- As of June 1, 2024