Early Evaluation Findings From a Federally Funded Training Program: The Public Health Associate Program

Area of Science:

• Public Health Workforce Development
• Program Evaluation
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established the Public Health Associate Program (PHAP) to ensure a steady supply of skilled public health professionals.
• PHAP aims to provide frontline public health services across federal, state, tribal, local, and territorial levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the quality, effectiveness, value, and impact of the Public Health Associate Program (PHAP).
• To gather data for continuous program improvement through formative and summative evaluation methods.

Main Methods:

• Utilized complex, evolving methodologies incorporating formative and summative evaluation approaches.
• Collected data from four PHAP cohorts, totaling 579 participants, via web-based surveys and reporting systems.

Main Results:

• A majority of participants expressed satisfaction with their PHAP experience.
• 74% of recent graduates pursued further public health careers or education, with 78% employed by the federal government.
• One year post-program, 74% of alumni reported PHAP significantly influenced their careers.

Conclusions:

• The CDC's investment in PHAP has demonstrably strengthened the public health workforce's capacity and capabilities.
• Preliminary findings indicate PHAP's quality, effectiveness, and positive impact on public health professionals.
• PHAP assists public health agencies in addressing workforce challenges and demands.