Public Health Professional Services: A Viable Alternative for Workforce Needs

The Ohio Public Health Association has worked to develop a Public Health staffing "temp agency" to address these challenges that have resulted due to the aging workforce, retirements, accreditation demands and the changing economy.    The project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has successfully contracted with traditional Public Health agencies and voluntary organizations to provide them with highly qualified Public Health professionals who have been able to hit the ground running on a variety of short and longer term projects.    Successes of the program have been 1) assistance in reviewing accreditation readiness, 2) provided assistance in applying for continuing education, 3) strategic plan development and 4) association management.   Challenges and lessons learned have included contract development negotiation and finalization;  geographic representativeness of staff available; and economic challenges faced by potential employers.  Next steps to be completed include continued recruitment of both staff and clients; finalization of a web-based matching system;  identifying means of sustaining the program beyond the grant period and reaching the goals established in the business plan.   This poster will highlight these items in greater detail and provide an opportunity for discussion with peers from other State Affiliates.