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California Public health corps (CA-PHC)

ā€‹Logo (002)              CA-PHC Training and Pathways Program

The COVID-19 pandemic clearly illustrated the need for a well-trained and versatile public health workforce. To respond to this need, the California Public Health Corps (CA-PHC) Training & Pathways Program was created. The program is funded by the Centers for Disease Controlā€™s (CDC) Epi and Lab Capacity grant and was developed in partnership between the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF), and Californiaā€™s Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs). 

ā€‹The CA-PHC is a paid training and job placement program for early-career public health professionals to gain experience working at LHJ host sites. In addition to a competitive salary, fellows receive full benefits. 

Fellows support LHJ host sites by conducting communicable disease prevention & control, community engagement, and emergency response activities. Key job duties include but are not limited to: 

  • Core communicable disease control activities 

  • Engagement and collaboration with communities and partner organizations 

  • Attendance at CA-PHC training and workforce development sessions 

  • Other relevant activities as assigned by LHJ

Photo explaining that CA-PHC is a partnership led program that created 45 jobs to support LHJs from Aug 2021 through July 2023

CA-PHC Mission

The mission of the CA-PHC is to: 

  • Create a workforce pathway for early-career public health professionals from diverse backgrounds and disproportionately affected communities to conduct communicable disease prevention and control, community engagement, and emergency response activities at Local Health Jurisdiction Host Sites 
  • Ensure a well-trained public health workforce across California that can effectively and efficiently respond to public health issues to ensure the health and safety of the population

Current CA-PHC Fellow Cohort

Fellow applicants were recruited from local communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Applicants were not required to have a college degree as long as they had work experience. California state employees who had been redirected to deploy to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency response, and other individuals who had experience serving as contact tracers during the pandemic, were encouraged to apply. The inaugural cohort of 45 CA-PHC fellows were selected from over 900 applicants.

Photo highlighting the fellows' background

CA-PHC LHJ Assignments

There are 37 participating LHJ Host Sites, representing a diverse set of jurisdictions: 

  • Northern California (4): Del Norte, Modoc, Shasta, Tehama 

  • Bay Area (11): Alameda, City of Berkeley, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma 

  • Greater Sacramento (7): Amador, Butte, El Dorado, Plumas, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo 

  • Central Valley (6): Kern, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare 

  • Southern California (9): City of Long Beach, Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura

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CA-PHC Fellow and LHJ Support

CA-PHC fellows and host site preceptors receive ongoing support from the program team comprised of public health professionals at CDPH, UCLA, and UCSF.

Prior to being deployed to their LHJs, fellows participate in a three-week intensive training focusing on the foundations of public health, cultural humility, professional development, case investigation, and contact tracing. Continuing education builds on their public health knowledge and incorporates professional development. Fellows meet regularly with CA-PHC program staff for ongoing coaching and mentoring.

For More Information

Learn more about the CA-PHC program by visiting our UCLA partner webpage.

Contact us at: Pathways@cdph.ca.gov

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