Minnesota Public Health Corps: A Qualitative Assessment of AmeriCorps’ Members Experiences

Abstract

Context: Long-standing gaps in public health capacity exist due to extensive workforce shortages, particularly in governmental public health (GPH); these gaps were worsened during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the federal government established Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA), which supported the integration of AmeriCorps members in public health systems. Minnesota Public Health Corps (MNPHC) prioritized placing members in GPH agencies to increase GPH capacity. Initial evaluation results (2022-2023) suggest that program members were well-integrated into agencies. This article reports on the contextual information offered by MNPHC members throughout their service, including the specific programs and activities members implemented, to better explain how members were successful at extending agencies’ capacity. Objectives: Activities, challenges, and successes of members during their service are described to better explain how members were successful at extending their sites’ capacity. Design: Descriptive qualitative methods using data reported each month by 60 members. Setting: GPH agencies with at least one AmeriCorps member. Participants: MNPHC members and GPH agencies. Intervention: MNPHC members at GPH agencies across Minnesota who implemented service plans. Main Outcome Measure: Outcomes of interest included salient themes within MNPHC members’ (1) activities, (2) encountered challenges and barriers, (3) successes. Results: MNPHC members implemented public health activities that helped bolster the capacity at host sites. The most common activities were related to public health communications, community engagement, and data analysis. Reported successes were largely concerned with progress made on the different activities being implemented by members. Members also reported few challenges; however, most reported challenges related to common issues encountered in public health, such as difficulty working with community partners or finding available data. Conclusions: MNPHC offers a compelling model that provides support to the GPH workforce while also offering those considering a career in GPH an opportunity to experience a range of public health activities.