Minnesota Public Health Corps Launches Statewide
The COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the workforce tested our nation’s public health systems and brought issues with capacity and disparities to the forefront. A study conducted in 2021 concluded that nationwide, our state and local health departments need a minimum of 80,000 more full-time employees to reach adequate coverage.
To help address this need, Minnesota Public Health Corps will mobilize about 85 members to address critical capacity issues and work to build a pipeline of future public health leaders. Members of Minnesota Public Health Corps will serve as Public Health Project Coordinators and are part of Public Health AmeriCorps – a national initiative funded with a five-year investment from the American Rescue Plan.
Public Health Coordinators serving with Minnesota Public Health Corps will be placed at nonprofits and public agencies throughout the state. The first cohort began their service in August and the next cohort will begin in January 2023. People are still needed in the following communities:
Hallock
Kittson Healthcare Public Health Department
Little Falls
Morrison County Health and Human Services
Owatonna
St. Could
Stearns County Human Services Department, Public Health Division
West St. Paul
Windom
Alexandria
Cloquet
Crookston
Duluth
Elk River
Sherburne County Public Health
& Human Services
Fergus Falls
Each partner organization offers a variety of projects for our members to help complete, the scope of which includes issues like COVID-19, health and racial equity and more. Public Health Project Coordinators at most sites will create community engagement projects, collect data, trace COVID-19 close contacts, attend ongoing professional development training, and act as a Public Health Corps ambassador in the community.
Some sites also ask their members to manage their website, analyze data, write communications content, complete community health needs assessments, and even brainstorm and implement strategic plans.
On top of specialized training and hands-on experience in the public health sector, members of Minnesota Public Health Corps also receive career coaching and advice from public health experts. In addition to a stipend paid every two weeks, they can earn up to an additional $6,495 for tuition or student loans.
Other benefits include free individual health insurance, federal student loan forbearance and interest repayment, and child care assistance (based on family size and income). Both full-time and part-time opportunities are available.
Please help spread the word about these incredible opportunities! The deadline to apply for the upcoming January start date is December 14, 2022. You can learn more and apply by visiting Ampact.US/public-health.
About Minnesota Public Health Corps
Minnesota Public Health Corps is new program administered by Ampact. The program is funded through Public Health AmeriCorps — a new partnership between AmeriCorps and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The goal of Public Health AmeriCorps is to support the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of public health leaders who will be ready to respond to the nation’s public health needs.
The partnership leverages the expertise of both agencies. AmerICorps provides experience managing public service and workforce development programs, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s technical expertise.
Launched during the 2022-23 program year, the Public Health AmeriCorps will recruit and mobilize nearly 3,000 members nationwide this year.