About PHAP

The Public Health Associate Program (PHAP), administered by CDC's Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support (OSTLTS), is designed to identify future public health professionals with undergraduate degrees and a passion for public service and public health. Throughout the two-year program, associates will gain hands-on, frontline experience that will be the foundation for their public health careers.

History

In 1948, CDC introduced the Public Health Advisor (PHA) series, which brought new public health workers to the frontlines of population heath in state and local agencies across the countries. PHAs shaped the delivery of essential public health services; many grew into management positions in public health departments nationwide and within CDC.

PHAP was founded in 2007 to renew the frontline focus and to meet the need for a modern pipeline of field-tested, experienced, and passionate public health professionals. PHAP currently has 120 associates placed in host sites across more than 26 states, a territory, several tribal departments, and the District of Columbia.

Strengthening the Future of Public Health

To give associates the experience needed to grow into public health professionals, PHAP offers a variety of public health program areas throughout the two-year term-limited appointment. Appointments include two program areas. Program areas focus on the nation's most pressing prevention and treatment priorities.

Host sites design their associate's assignments to meet their agency's unique critical needs and also provide the job experience and competency development that prepares associates for a future in public health. Associate assignments provide substantial skill-building activities in: analysis and assessment, communication, program planning, cultural competency, partnership and collaboration, public health practices, financial planning, and leadership.

PHAP graduates are competitive candidates for entry-level public health positions at CDC, health departments, and non-governmental organizations. PHAP associates leave the program with a foundation for a successful, long-term public health career.

For more information on PHAP Alumni, please visit Alumni Success Stories.

Training

CDC trains associates in core public health concepts and topics to provide the knowledge necessary to succeed in the assignment. PHAP hosts a CDC orientation, annual public health trainings, and regular online learning programs. The PHAP curriculum snapshot is included below and may be subject to change.

Host sites orient their associates to the unique agency in which they work, and train associates in a range of public health competencies. This training fulfils government requirements and enhances the associate's work performance.

Orientation to PHAP (Year 1 – July, Face to Face)

• Introduction to Public Health Systems
• Introduction to Public Health Sciences
• 10 Essentials of Public Health
• The History of CDC
• OCD Organizational Overview
• CDC / STLT Relations
• Introduction to Epidemiology / Investigating an Outbreak
• Introduction to Surveillance / Health Interventions
• Legal Basics
• Cultural Competency
• Active Listening
• Interviewing for Public Health Basics
• Professional Communication
• Coping Skills / EAP
• Infection Prevention
• Team Building

PHAP Year One Learning Activities (August – June, Virtual)

• NoFear Act
• Records Management
• Literature Review
• E-mail Etiquette
• Business Writing
• Giving Effective Presentations
• Program Focused Trainings

PHAP Summer Seminar (Year 2 — July, Face to Face)

• Budgeting Basics: Funding and Appropriations
• Adult Education
• Partnership and Collaboration
• Program Planning – Managing Up / Results Without Authority
• Problem Solving
• Meeting Facilitation
• Network Mapping
• Conflict Resolution
• Negotiation
• Program Evaluation

PHAP Year Two Learning Activities (August – June, Virtual)

• Policy
• Ethics
• Resume Development
• Risk Communications
• Identifying and Engaging Stakeholders
• Informatics
• Program Focused Trainings

PHAP Year Two Learning Activities (April, Face to Face)

• The year two April training agenda will include graduation activities and learning topics will be formalized based upon class need.