What CERI Helped Build Across California
Through dedicated funding, technical assistance, local leadership, and community partnerships, CERI supported statewide progress in strengthening public health systems. Across participating counties, CERI funded or supported:
- 70 dedicated health equity staff
- 169 equity trainings
- 35 community advisory structures
- 59 organizational assessments for equity infrastructure
- 25 Community Health Improvement Plans
- 19 Local Health Equity Plans
- 9 Tribal partnership initiatives
- 6 place-based interventions
These accomplishments highlight the impact of collaborative and community-driven approaches in improving public health across California. By supporting professional development and partnerships, CERI has established a foundation for healthier, stronger communities statewide.
How CERI Strengthened Infrastructure Across California
CERI helped local health departments build sustainable practices by increasing staffing, fostering partnerships, and improving planning to better serve communities.
Strengthening the Public Health Workforce
- Hired dedicated equity-focused staff to guide efforts.
- Provided equity and cultural humility trainings.
- Built career pipelines with colleges.
- Established equity committees and workgroups.
Expanding Community Partnerships
- Collaborated with community groups, Tribes, and residents.
- Partnered with behavioral health, education, and housing sectors.
These partnerships ensured programs were culturally responsive and shaped by community priorities.
Embedding Equity and Using Data
- Conducted organizational equity assessments.
- Updated practices through an equity lens.
- Strengthened language access and inclusive communication.
- Created Health Equity Plans based on community input.
- Enhanced data dashboards and used data for planning.
Statewide Connection: The State Health Equity Plan (SHEP)
Insights from CERI helped shape the CDPH State Health Equity Plan, aligning local experiences with statewide equity strategies and supporting a unified approach to improving community health across California.
CERI Storytelling Video Series
About the CERI Storytelling Series
These short videos share real experiences from five Local Health Jurisdictions that used CERI funding to improve community health. Each video highlights different strategies, partnerships, and impacts. Watch the videos to see these inspiring stories and learn more about the innovative approaches taken across California communities.
Modoc County Public Health — Supporting Rural Community Health Workers/Promotoras
 Modoc County has many geographically isolated communities that benefited from the utilization of Community Health Workers (CHWs)/Promotoras to give residents increased access to services and strengthening community leadership. [Modoc County - CERI]
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Nevada County Public Health — Expanding Mental Health Support
 Nevada County utilized school-based trainings, family support services, and health supply vending machines to expand mental health support to residents. [Nevada County - CERI]
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Monterey County Public Health — Centering Community Voices
 Monterey County worked with resident leaders to co-design a health conference, ensuring programming reflected community needs and experiences. [Monterey County - CERI]
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San Joaquin County Public Health — Addressing Social Determinants of Health
 San Joaquin County focused on community driven improvements aligned with their Health Improvement Plan that included park beautification in South Stockton . [San Joaquin - CERI]
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