This year’s National Public Health Week (NPHW) theme, “Ready. Set. Action!”, reinforces a simple truth: good health does not happen by chance. It requires sustained investment in people, partnerships, and leadership. Public health workers translate policy into practice and evidence into action; whether responding to emerging threats, addressing health inequities, or building trust at the community level. Their readiness determines how effectively communities move from planning to impact.

As public health challenges become more complex, effective action depends on a workforce that is prepared, supported, and aligned. In recognition of National Public Health Week, PCG recognizes the professionals advancing this work and remains committed to strengthening the people, teams, and systems that enable healthier, more resilient communities.

Partnering with Public Health Teams & Building Workforce: Projects in Action

For decades, PCG has supported public health agencies and community organizations to strengthen staff capacity, modernize workforce strategies, and build a public health workforce ready to adapt to evolving challenges. This NPHW, we are proud to share a few examples of the impactful work public health agencies have accomplished in partnership with PCG.

1. Community Health, Led from the Ground Up

PCG is helping strengthen the community health worker (CHW) workforce where it matters most, on the ground in local communities. Partnering with state agencies and health organizations, PCG conducts hands‑on assessments, manages federal workforce grants, and coordinates multi‑stakeholder networks to identify challenges, build skills, and create sustainable career pathways for CHWs and related frontline roles. This work has led to clearer CHW roles, improved training and credentialing, stronger integration with public health and emergency services, and new technology and apprenticeship pathways, especially in rural and underserved communities. By bringing together data, workforce strategies, and partners across health systems, PCG is helping communities build a more connected, resilient public health workforce prepared for everyday needs and future challenges.

2. An Agile Workforce, Ready to Respond

When public health emergencies hit, having the right people ready to step in makes all the difference. For more than five years, PCG has partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to turn hard‑won lessons from crisis response into lasting preparedness. Most recently, PCG has helped bring DPH’s Ready Responder Program to life, creating a clear, scalable way to mobilize staff quickly and confidently. From analyzing real‑world responses like the Steward Hospital bankruptcy, to building interactive training and hands‑on tools, PCG’s work has supported the shift from improvised response to consistent readiness, helping ensure a stronger, more agile public health workforce for the future.

3. Cultivating Public Health Leadership

From coast to coast, PCG is helping public health leaders turn big ideas into real‑world impacts. Working alongside agencies in California, Maine, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii, our team supports leaders through coaching, leadership development, and practical, hands‑on assistance. This work strengthens decision‑making, improves teamwork, and builds resilient organizations. The results include actionable strategic plans, stronger collaboration across departments, healthier workplace cultures, and staff who remain engaged and effective, even during crises and periods of change. By blending one‑on‑one coaching with cohort learning and ready‑to‑use tools, PCG helps public health agencies and community‑based organizations build lasting leadership capacity to better serve the communities that rely on them most.

To learn more about the work PCG does to support public health, click here.