By: Richard L. Smith
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has been awarded a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the amount of $80.5 million to be received over the next five years to support public health workforce development and training, building foundational capabilities, and data modernization.
Supported in part by the American Rescue Plan Act, the OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems through innovation and commitment to action grant is an investment that supports critical public health infrastructure needs of jurisdictions across the United States.
Funding under the Public Health Infrastructure Grant Program is intended to help ensure that every U.S. community has the people, services, and systems needed to promote and protect health.
“This is the beginning of a very exciting new chapter for the New Jersey Department of Health and public health in the Garden State,” said Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli.
“We have a great opportunity to build a more resilient health department with a robust, well-trained workforce, a modernized infrastructure, and a stronger system for a healthier New Jersey. Everyone stands to benefit.”
In New Jersey, with the resourcing and technical assistance provided by these funds, NJDOH will facilitate the continued transformation and modernization of New Jersey’s public health system through a matrix of support to state and local health agencies. The grant will support the Department’s work to:
• Facilitate recruitment, advancement, and retention within the public health workforce through workforce planning and professional development.
• Manage performance across programmatic activities and grants oversight.
• Expand the NJDOH Centralized Data and Analytics Hub that provides data-driven insights to inform action across the New Jersey Department of Health and partners.
• Advance health equity in policy, programs, and practice through the Office of Minority and Multicultural Health.
• Enhance the Office of Women’s Health to support women’s health across their lifespan, which includes a focus on reproductive health.
• Invest across the agency in understanding health disparities, addressing social determinants of health, and facilitating connections to care.
• Continue to grow regionalized support for local health partners in building workforce capacity and infrastructure.
The Murphy Administration has recently made significant investments in public health infrastructure, including $116.5 million in funding for eligible county, municipal and regional local health departments to support the development or expansion of long-term health infrastructure improvements and to provide resources to address complex emergencies like COVID-19, emerging local needs, and other key public health priorities.
“The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light significant challenges facing our public health system that we must continue to address on behalf of residents,” added Commissioner Persichilli.
“As we emerge from the pandemic and look through the lens of opportunity, we will build on the progress made and continue to embed the innovative, data-driven approaches that we used during this health emergency to forge the future of New Jersey’s public health.”
NJDOH will receive $79,590,240 in the first year of the grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $80,541,230 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS.
Future year funding will be based on satisfactory programmatic progress and availability of funds.