Authors: A.C. Rothenbuecher, MPH, Workforce Director, ASTHO; Allison Budzinski, MSW, Workforce Senior Analyst, ASTHO

Workforce development is recognized as a key component of the Organizational Competencies Foundational Capability within the Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) framework and represents a department’s capacity to recruit, develop, and retain a competent workforce equipped with the cross-cutting skills necessary to deliver effective public health services.

Workforce efforts are multi-faceted and encompass a range of systems and strategies needed to sustain a strong and resilient public health system. Workforce development goes beyond training to include workforce planning, succession planning, recruitment and retention strategies, staff well-being, and the cultivation of a healthy, inclusive organizational culture. Workforce teams often collaborate across departments to meet the evolving needs of the public health system. As public health agencies continue to face staffing shortages, burnout, and turnover, having access to the right tools and strategies is more important than ever. From improving recruitment and retention to building leadership pipelines, today’s workforce challenges demand proactive, system-level solutions.   

The PHIG National Partners have developed a suite of resources to support governmental public health agencies in attracting, developing, and retaining the workforce they need. Whether you’re a workforce leader, HR partner, or public health practitioner, these seven resources offer practical strategies to help strengthen your agency’s workforce capacity. 

Resources to Strengthen the Public Health Workforce

• PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
  The Public Health – Hope, Equity, Resilience, and Opportunity (PH-HERO) Resource Center is a curated hub for workforce development leaders. It provides guidance and tools to strengthen collaboration between the workforce and HR teams. The center includes a growing library of job descriptions, toolkits, competency frameworks, and policies tailored to governmental public health agencies. 
• PublicHealthCareers.org
  More than just a job board, PublicHealthCareers.org supports individuals interested in a public health career by offering tools such as resume tips, interview guidance, and career pathway exploration. Agencies can also utilize the platform to promote openings and reach a broader pool of applicants across the country. 
• Workforce Planning Guide
  The ASTHO Workforce Planning Guide helps agencies take a strategic approach to workforce development. From assessing workforce needs to identifying future skill gaps, the guide offers a structured process for aligning staffing and training with long-term public health goals.
• Workforce Plan Template 
  PHAB’s Workforce Plan Template and User Guide can be used in tandem with ASTHO’s Workforce Planning Guide. The workforce plan template and user guide assist health departments with creating a workforce plan that addresses workforce-related requirements set forth in Version 2022 of the PHAB Standards and Measures for initial accreditation and reaccreditation.
• Workforce Calculator  
  The Public Health Workforce Calculator is a tool to help local health departments estimate the number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) needed to ensure the provision of the FPHS. The Calculator is intended for use in decentralized public health systems with a jurisdiction size of 500,000 or less. 
• FPHS Capacity and Cost Assessment  
  The FPHS Capacity and Cost Assessment helps health departments and health department systems assess their current spending, capacity, and expertise related to the FPHS, determine the needed investments to fully implement the FPHS, and identify the resources needed to transform governmental public health systems.  

Upcoming Events

• Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab
  This five-part virtual series focuses on strengthening the public health nursing workforce through leadership development, systems thinking, and peer collaboration. Participants will gain practical strategies and hear directly from national experts and leaders from governmental public health who navigate similar challenges.
• Succession Planning ASTHO Connect Series 
  This three-part webinar series features practical strategies from a local health department on how to implement succession planning in governmental public health. Designed for workforce leads, HR professionals, and public health executives, the series offers real-world examples and tools to support succession planning within your agency. 
  • Session 1: Building the Case for Succession Planning, Thursday, September 4, 2025, 2-3 p.m. ET 
  • Session 2: Laying the Groundwork, Thursday, September 18, 2025, 2-3 p.m. ET 
  • Session 3: Putting the Plan into Action, Thursday, October 2, 2025, 2-3 p.m. ET
• PHIT Virtual Workshop Series  
  Register for the Public Health Improvement Training (PHIT) Virtual Workshop Series—a powerful lead-up to the in-person PHIT this October in Pittsburgh! PHIT offers hands-on training in quality improvement and strategic planning, while Open Forum provides a national space to share best practices and explore emerging issues. Together, they equip professionals to lead and adapt in a changing public health landscape. 
   
  Join us online for expert-led sessions beginning July 29, designed to strengthen your practice, spark connection, and prepare you for PHIT 2025.   

  Virtual Workshop Lineup:  

  • Workshop 1: Staying PHIT Throughout the Year “Strategic Self: Building Your Professional Strategy in Public Health” (NNPHI + Otowi Group) – July 29, 12–2 p.m. ET  
  • Workshop 2: Adaptive Leadership (NACCHO) – August 12, 1–3 p.m. ET  
  • Workshop 3: Aligning Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) 2.0 with PHAB Standards: A Practical Workshop on Leveraging Your CHA/CHIP Efforts to Support Accreditation (NACCHO + PHAB) – August 13, 12–2 p.m. ET 
  • Workshop 4: Developing Your Accreditation Game Plan! (PHAB) – September 9, 2-4 p.m. ET  
• Open Forum: Next Generation 
  Open Forum provides a national space to share best practices and explore emerging issues. Together, they equip professionals to lead and adapt in a changing public health landscape. 
   
  Register to attend Open Forum on October 8-10, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!  
  Register by Thursday, July 31, 2025, to receive a discounted early bird rate of $595. 

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Looking for support in implementing these workforce strategies in your agency? Submit a PHIVE technical assistance request to connect with ASTHO’s workforce experts and receive tailored guidance for your agency’s unique needs.