Role of Non-Profit Public Health Organizations in National Response to Public Health Emergencies

Key Objectives:
The CSTE Executive Director is seeking from CSTE members their input into the role of the CSTE national office in emergency preparedness and response. Specifically, CSTE is developing a concept of operations with the CDC EOC and sister organizations to be used for incident management during national public health emergencies. Finally, CSTE needs an internal response plan so that staffing is sustainable during prolonged emergencies.

Brief Summary:
Following the terrorist events in 2001, public health preparedness and response became a new discipline in public health practice. Over the past decade, strong federal investments have been used to build capacity and competency in state, territorial, local and tribal health departments. Additionally, federal funding has been directed to non-profit public health organizations, notably ASTHO and NACCHO, to augment government capacity building through trainings, conferences, and workforce development; and communication, command, and control during public health incidents of national importance. Beginning in 2014, national office staff of CSTE and APHL were also embedded in CDC emergency operations to assist with the MERS-CoV and Ebola virus disease domestic responses. Discussion will focus on the CSTE, ELC and PHEP cooperative agreements with CDC, and explore new efficiencies or opportunities within these robust funding structures.