Public Health AmeriCorps: A Legacy of Service (2022-2025)

  About the Program

Public Health AmeriCorps was a transformative national service program launched through a partnership between AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) joined the partnership as an inaugural grantee in 2022 with the mission of recruiting, training, and supporting the next generation of public health leaders.

The PHA program at LACDPH concluded August 31, 2025, and is no longer accepting applications. Read the Public Health AmeriCorps Summary Report to learn about accomplishments, outcomes, and lasting impact made by Public Health AmeriCorps members.

  Public Health AmeriCorps Goals

PHA centered around two primary goals:

  • Addressing the public health needs of local communities and advancing more equitable health outcomes for underserved communities.
  • Creating pathways to good quality public health-related careers through onsite experience and training.
 

  Public Health AmeriCorps Members

AmeriCorps members represented diverse communities across Los Angeles County. To qualify, members:

  • Were 18 years of age or older (no upper age limit)
  • Held U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency
  • Had a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate
  • Committed to 12 months of service
  • Completed required National Criminal History and Background Checks (NSCHC). Enrollment in the program was contingent on NSCHC results.

 

 

  Where AmeriCorps Members Made an Impact

Members were assigned locally at one of the eight Service Planning Areas within Los Angeles County. A Service Planning Area, or SPA, is a specific geographic region within Los Angeles County. These distinct regions allow LACDPH to develop and provide more relevant public health and clinical services targeted to the specific health needs of residents. To learn more about Service Planning Areas click here.

Members served across all 8 SPAs in Los Angeles County and engaged directly with community members and LACDPH partners.

  Key Activities and Responsibilities

Members contributed to vital public health efforts by:

  • Conducting community outreach and health education
  • Supporting vaccination events and delivering messaging on COVID-19 education, prevention, and recovery
  • Delivering health education on topics like COVID-19, mental health, nutrition, chronic disease, and more
  • Connecting community members to resources and providing referrals to health and social services
  • Participating in community events and regional public health initiatives
  • Completing foundational public health training to build professional capacity

Key Contributions

  Program Impact

Since launching, the program achieved various accomplishments:

  • Recruited 128 part-time AmeriCorps members
  • Reached 194,223 community members through outreach
  • Logged over 99,000 hours of service
  • Facilitated over 4,000 referrals to essential services

Outreach Impact of Members Assigned to LACDPH Host Sites

Outreach Impact of Members Assigned to CBO Host Sites

  Looking Ahead

Although the Public Health AmeriCorps program is ending, its impact continues through the individuals who served and the communities they supported. Since participating in the program, alumni have pursued careers in public health and have expressed a desire to further their education. For those interested in similar opportunities, we encourage you to explore other AmeriCorps service programs at AmeriCorps.gov.

Member Reflections

  Contact Us!

Have questions about Public Health AmeriCorps at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health? Contact Stephanie Cipres at scipres2@ph.lacounty.gov or DPH-CommEngagement@ph.lacounty.gov.  

Disclaimer: This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information and military service.