How big city health departments are investing public health infrastructure grant funding

Veronika Hanna, Program Supervisor with the Denver Department of Public Health and the Environment, explains how PHIG funding has supported paid interns across multiple divisions, launched an AmeriCorps Community Health Worker Apprentice Program, and created a youth public health summer camp.

PHIG funding didn’t just improve one building for Metro Public Health in Nashville and Davidson County – it strengthened the department’s ability to engage with the communities they serve, collaborate across teams, and expand the reach of public health programs.

Southern Nevada Health District is using PHIG funding to train staff in advanced quality improvement tools and facilitation techniques. By analyzing and making small changes to enrollment processes in the Healthy Start program, for example, the team improved both staff morale and program results: enrollment more than doubled in six months, from 31 to 64 families.

Using PHIG funding, Pima County Health Department established an Office of Heat Relief and Response, bringing together local government, universities, and community organizations to coordinate lifesaving efforts. From opening cooling centers in libraries and county buildings to deploying innovative “cool-tainers,” Pima County is ensuring that every resident has a safe place to escape the heat.

Oklahoma City-County has used PHIG funding to hire patient navigators to help patients get faster appointment times at their public health clinic.

Southern Nevada Health District has used PHIG funding to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

San Francisco has used PHIG funding to empower public health staff to improve their work experience.