Session Summary

In this session, participants explore three approaches to strengthening organizational capacity and administrative readiness within public health agencies, supported through the ASTHO STAR Center. The discussion covers how agencies have assessed and improved procurement processes, enhanced their administrative policy infrastructure, and optimized grant management functions to improve funding outcomes. Participants will learn about tools such as ASTHO’s Peer Assessment Program, the Policy Assessment Guide and Gap Analysis Tool, and the Grants Management Office (GMO) Structure Optimization Toolkit. This session offers practical strategies, lessons learned, and adaptable resources to help agencies build strong, sustainable internal systems.

Presenter(s):

• Moderator/Speaker: Colton Anderson, MPH, CHES, Senior Analyst-Public Health Systems Improvement, ASTHO
• Melissa Touma, MPH, Director-Public Health Infrastructure Program, ASTHO
• Kristin Sullivan, MA, Director-Public Health Systems Improvement, ASTHO
• Marie Stratton, Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) Program Manager, Maryland Department of Health
• Katherine Feldman, Chief Performance Officer,  Maryland Department of Health
• Gabrielle Nichols, MSPH, Program Manager, Public Health Infrastructure Grant and Disparities Grant, Maryland Department of Health
• Lauren Marsh, Public Health Infrastructure Unit Manager, Austin Public Health
• Amy Ferris, Chief Financial Officer, Washington State Department of Health

Download the slides.