California Pathways into Public Health Initiative Fellowship Program

About the California Pathways into Public Health Initiative Fellowship Program

The COVID-19 pandemic clearly illustrated the need for a well-trained and versatile public health workforce across California. The California Pathways into Public Health Initiative Fellowship Program (Cal-PPH) builds capacity to respond to public health emergencies, such as COVID-19, by training and providing a workforce pathway for early-career public health professionals from all areas and communities across the state. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — in partnership with UCSF and UCLA — is dedicated to supporting the next generation of public health professionals through the Cal-PPH Program.

The Cal-PPH mission is to increase the workforce capacity of local health departments across California by providing training, support, and work experience for professionals from historically underrepresented and diverse backgrounds.

Cal-PPH fellows are entry-level public health professionals who conduct communicable disease prevention and control, community engagement, and emergency response activities at the individual and community level. After an initial three-week intensive training from the California Virtual Training Academy (VTA), Cal-PPH members are placed in Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) Host Sites for two years. Throughout their assignment, fellows will receive ongoing mentoring and support from CDPH, the VTA, and their LHJ Host Sites to ensure they are successful in their role.

The Cal-PHH vision is a representative public health workforce capable of effectively responding to public health priorities, promoting health equity, and advancing the health and safety of California’s diverse people.

Visit the Cal-PPH program website to learn more.

Program Leadership