California Public Health Corps (CA-PHC) Training and Pathways Program

About the California Public Health Corps (CA-PHC) Training and Pathways Program

The COVID-19 pandemic clearly illustrated the need for a well-trained and versatile public health workforce across California. The California Public Health Corps (CA-PHC) Training and Pathways Program 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 the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)—are dedicated to supporting the next generation of public health professionals through the CA-PHC Program.

The mission of the California Public Health Corps (CA-PHC) Training and Pathways Program is to:

• Create a workforce pathway for early-career public health professionals from diverse backgrounds and disproportionately affected communities to conduct communicable disease prevention and control, community engagement and emergency response activities at LHJ Host Sites; and
• Ensure a well-trained public health workforce across California that can effectively and efficiently respond to public health issues to ensure the health and safety of the population

CA-PHC Trainees 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), CA-PHC members will be placed in Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) Host Sites for two years. Throughout their assignment, Trainees will receive ongoing mentoring and support from CDPH, the VTA, and their LHJ Host Sites to ensure they are successful in their role.

Trainee Application and Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria (must meet at least ONE of the following)

• High school diploma AND at least four years of any work experience
• Associate's Degree AND at least two years of any work experience
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalence

Preferred Qualifications

• At least six months of full-time work experience in a public or private agency providing communicable disease control (e.g., case investigation/contact tracing for COVID-19, TB, STD or other diseases); OR
• At least one year of full-time work experience in a public or private organization providing health and human service activities (e.g., community or global health, maternal and child health, health education, clinical support, environmental health, health policy, social and behavioral health, or another related program).

Trainee Application Now Open! Interested applicants should submit their cover letter and resume HERE by Sunday, June 20 at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time. 

For more information, the trainee session program PDF can be downloaded here. 

Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) Host Site Information

LHJ Host Site Eligibility

• LHJ Host Sites must be able to: 
  • Host a CA-PHC trainee for two years, starting September 2021
  • Provide a robust public health experience for the trainee
  • Designate a trainee preceptor to provide guidance and mentorship
  • Regularly attend CA-PHC preceptor and group events

LHJ Host Site Registration Process

• Complete LHJ Host Site interest registration form  
• Participate in LHJ Host Site informational interview

California Public Health Corps (CA-PHC) Partners

California Department of Public Health

UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

UCSF Pandemic Initiative for Equity and Action

Contact Information

LHJ Host Sites, please contact Pathways@cdph.ca.gov

Trainee applicants, please contact Caphcpathways@ph.ucla.edu