Trinity County Makes Big Strides in Public Health

Story Highlights

Trinity County hired new health workers and nurses to bring care closer to rural families.
Community health workers teach healthy habits, prevent disease and help people prepare for wildfire risks.
These programs give families and older adults the support they need to stay healthy and safe in hard-to-reach areas.

Originally published: January 2025

Updated: May 2026

Group of community health workers smiling Trinity County is known for its picturesque yet demanding landscape. The region's natural beauty contrasts with the challenges its residents face. Approximately 23% of the population lives below the federal poverty level. 56% of the population resides in areas at high risk for wildfires. The county's older residents struggle with limited access to specialized healthcare.

Many individuals also find it difficult to obtain essential goods and services due to their remote, isolated locations. Despite these challenges, Trinity County has improved its public health infrastructure significantly. Funding from the Future of Public Health (FoPH), the California Strengthening Public Health Initiative (CASPHI) and Career Ladder has played a crucial role. The county can now better meet community needs. This enhances residents' well-being.

“FoPH and CASPHI funding are the most profound budgetary policies in decades. This funding ensures rural public health systems can meet the needs of their populations. [We're] building responsive services that will improve lives for generations."

– Former Director of the Trinity County Public Health Branch (TCPHB), Marcie Jo Cudziol

Workforce Investments: Expanding Capacity to Meet Community Needs

FoPH funding has allowed TCPHB to build a skilled public health workforce, adding key roles such as:

Community health worker at a career fair

Two community health workers (CHWs) who are making a significant impact. They act as essential liaisons for public, behavioral and environmental health. The introduction of these CHWs is transformative. They serve as the vital link between systems and populations. Their presence has paved the way for expanded, county-wide efforts in:

Disease prevention
Healthcare access
Promotion of healthy lifestyles
Harm reduction
Addressing wildfire risks and climate impact activities
Surveying community needs and collecting information that's pivotal in developing both the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and First 5 Trinity Strategic Plans

A community health nurse focused on maternal and child health services. This is important in a county without a birthing hospital or obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYNs). Here, infant deaths peaked at seven in six years. The role is critical for supporting vulnerable families.
A public health analyst who's developing data systems to address health issues like the opioid crisis. They're also pursuing an epidemiology degree.

CASPHI-Funded Training and Contracted Support Positions

Combined with FoPH, CASPHI funding has been pivotal for workforce development, providing resources for certifications, staff training, and contracted roles, including: Community health workers at a school dental clinic

A health program coordinator and health education supervisor who leads or supports several initiatives, including:

The community health assessment (CHA)
The community health improvement plan (CHIP)
Professional development
Strategic planning.

Experienced epidemiologists who provide staff with mentorship, technical assistance and guidance in data analysis and intervention planning. They help build expertise essential to rural health.
Training and certification support, which has enabled staff to pursue Registered Nurse (RN) and Public Health Nurse (PHN) credentials. These are particularly valuable for in-home visits to low-income mothers and infants. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) RN specializing in communicable diseases is also pursuing her PHN certification. She'll lead communicable disease efforts. Two Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) are advancing toward BSN RN qualifications.

Tangible Impacts and Early Results

New CHWs have already strengthened outreach and environmental health programs. Their presence has made a difference in sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and overall public health engagement.
Quarterly newsletters and other initiatives are boosting health literacy across isolated areas.
Meanwhile, the public health analyst conducted a comprehensive opioid crisis landscape scan. Trinity's Opioid Safety Coalition and the Board of Supervisors now have data that better informs harm-reduction policies.
TCPHB completed its CHA and CHIP in December 2024. They hope to achieve national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board in 2026.

Building a Healthier Future

Two employees smile together

FoPH and CASPHI funds are transforming TCPHB's public health infrastructure. Not only are they better able to address current needs, but also plan for the future.

Cudziol emphasized, "[This] funding is vital in our ability to improve the health and well-being of Trinity County. What's not mentioned as often is the incredible leadership and staff at all levels of state government and particularly within CDPH. Without their support, the work identified in our success story likely wouldn't have occurred."

Trinity County's experience proves one thing. Strategic funding and dedicated leadership are key to building healthier futures across California.

Photos courtesy of: Trinity County Public Health

If you’re a member of the media and have a question about this story, email Media@cdph.ca.gov.