Grant Details

The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to announce a capacity-building assistance (CBA) program to increase the knowledge, skill, and ability to deliver essential public health services, improve organizational and systems capacity and capability to address prioritized, equity-based public health priorities, and strengthen the nation's public health infrastructure and performance. CBA is defined as activities that strengthen and maintain the infrastructure and resources necessary to sustain or improve system, organizational, community, or individual processes and competencies. CBA is delivered through technical assistance, training, information sharing, technology transfer, or materials development that enables organizations to operate in a comprehensive, responsive, and effective manner.

The goal is to fund organizations that have the capability, expertise, resources, and national reach to support public health infrastructure and workforce needs. Recipients will be expected to implement CBA activities in one or more of the strategic areas prioritized under this cooperative agreement. Applicants must address CBA needs for a selected population of focus within one of three population of focus categories: A) Governmental Public Health Departments; B) Workforce Segments in Governmental Public Health Departments; or C) Public Health System Components. The CBA program has a two-part funding strategy—this NOFO details the first funding strategy. The second funding strategy is subject to the availability of appropriated funds and agency priorities and will be made available only to organizations that are awarded funds under this NOFO.

Recipients are expected to provide capacity-building assistance through this program to a specific population of focus. Applicants should select the population of focus category and population of focus whose capacity will be built as a result of funding.

Applicants should address work to be done in the 5 strategic areas (and related activities) as outlined in strategies and activities column of the logic model. Within the project narrative submitted, applicants must clearly identify and address one or more of the strategic areas, as they describe the CBA to be provided to their selected population of focus. The activities listed below serve as examples and the lists are not exhaustive.

1. Organizational Capacity and Performance Improvement - Activities to improve and strengthen capacities that are needed for stronger agency infrastructure and to support basic public health protections. CBA provided may address needs, such as:
   1. Strengthening organizational capacity and competencies (i.e. human resources financial management)
   2. Prioritizing and implementing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the organization, including support for organizational policies and practices to strengthen health equity.
   3. Supporting communications efforts, including communication and planning, risk communication, social marketing, public information officer support, etc
   4. Using and implementing quality improvement, performance management, accreditation, and strategic planning
   5. Supporting change management and efforts to sustain, improve, or modify organizational structures or processes to meet needs or address efficiencies, including restructuring and cross-jurisdictional sharing.
2. Workforce - Activities to develop and maintain a diverse workforce within the public health system with cross-cutting skills and competencies. CBA provided may address needs, such as:
   1. Recruiting, developing, and retaining qualified workers (building and sustaining the workforce)
   2. Identifying and assessing workforce gaps, training, and education needs
   3. Developing and ensuring access to quality training and education that addresses identified needs.
   4. Developing and facilitating use of standards, competencies, and best practices for public health training and workforce development programs.
   5. Implementing culturally-appropriate, evidence-based, or evidence-informed strategies to develop and sustain supportive work environments.
3. Data modernization, Informatics, and information technology - Activities to develop and deploy scalable, responsive and sustainable technologies, policies and methods to implement high-quality data and analytical capabilities to support the Essential Public Health Services (EPHS). CBA provided may address needs, such as:
   1. Enhancing the use and capabilities of informatics in public health
   2. Collecting, accessing, analyzing, interpreting, and using data from a variety of sources to guide public health planning and decision-making.
   3. Developing and carrying out processes to manage data modernization activities that are step-wise, adaptive, and oriented to the overall success of organizations
   4. Identifying and reporting current capacity, gaps, and opportunities to modernize data systems and infrastructure.
4. Partnership Development and Engagement - Activities to improve development and maintenance of results-driven partnerships at various levels. CBA provided may address needs, such as:
   1. Conducting health assessments and improvement planning to address specific public health issues, population health needs, and determinants of health
   2. Engaging with community populations, partners, and multiple sectors (transportation agencies, academic institutions, law enforcement, healthcare and others) in identifying and addressing health problems through collaborative processes
   3. Establishing and maintaining trust with community members and populations most impacted by key public health decision-making
   4. Engaging community members and populations using community-driven, culturally-informed approaches to improve health outcomes
   5. Identifying successful practices and developing new mechanisms to inform, mobilize, and engage the public and private sectors in collaborative efforts
5. Policy and Programs - Activities to develop, improve, and use evidence-based and promising practices in policies, processes, and programs aimed at improving the health of the community, addressing disparities, and increasing equity. CBA provided may address needs, such as:
   1. Developing, implementing, scaling up, maintaining, and evaluating programs, policies, and processes to support prevention and wellness.
   2. Engaging community population, partners, and multiple sectors in activities that contribute to informing, evaluating, and providing evidence related to programs, laws, and policies that affect public health.
   3. Developing and supporting tools and technical assistance to equitably advance evidence-based or evidence-informed laws, policy, and programs.
   4. Facilitating knowledge and adoption of evidence-based and evidence-informed policy, programs, and initiatives.
   5. Identifying and promoting innovations and models of excellence that can contribute to new approaches.