STRENGTHENING THE INFRASTRUCTURE, WORKFORCE, AND DATA PROCESSES FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN ARKANSAS. - A1 WORKFORCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS CORRESPONDING RESPONSE HIGHLIGHTED SOME CRITICAL NEEDS IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE IN ARKANSAS. THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (ADH), AS THE CENTRALIZED AUTHORITY ON PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE STATE, HAS IDENTIFIED SEVERAL PROGRAMS WHERE ADDITIONAL STAFF IS NEEDED TO MEET CHANGING DEMAND. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAB, WHERE REPORTING IS SHIFTING TO ALMOST ENTIRELY ONLINE; THE ARKANSAS CENTRAL CANCER REGISTRY WHICH CONTINUES TO FACE CHALLENGES IN STAFFING, ONLY COMPOUNDED BY COVID-19 AND STAFF REDIRECTION; AND IN HEPATITIS SURVEILLANCE, AS CASES IN THE STATE HAVE RISEN NEARLY 400% SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN. FURTHER, THE ADH HAS IDENTIFIED PROGRAMS THAT CURRENTLY HAVE STAFF SUPPORTED BY OTHER GRANTS, PRIMARILY FROM THE SURGE OF COVID-19 RELATED FUNDS, THAT ARE VITAL TO THE WORK OF THE ADH AND NEED CONTINUED FUNDING. THESE IN

Summary

STRENGTHENING THE INFRASTRUCTURE, WORKFORCE, AND DATA PROCESSES FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN ARKANSAS. - A1 WORKFORCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS CORRESPONDING RESPONSE HIGHLIGHTED SOME CRITICAL NEEDS IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE IN ARKANSAS. THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (ADH), AS THE CENTRALIZED AUTHORITY ON PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE STATE, HAS IDENTIFIED SEVERAL PROGRAMS WHERE ADDITIONAL STAFF IS NEEDED TO MEET CHANGING DEMAND. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAB, WHERE REPORTING IS SHIFTING TO ALMOST ENTIRELY ONLINE; THE ARKANSAS CENTRAL CANCER REGISTRY WHICH CONTINUES TO FACE CHALLENGES IN STAFFING, ONLY COMPOUNDED BY COVID-19 AND STAFF REDIRECTION; AND IN HEPATITIS SURVEILLANCE, AS CASES IN THE STATE HAVE RISEN NEARLY 400% SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN. FURTHER, THE ADH HAS IDENTIFIED PROGRAMS THAT CURRENTLY HAVE STAFF SUPPORTED BY OTHER GRANTS, PRIMARILY FROM THE SURGE OF COVID-19 RELATED FUNDS, THAT ARE VITAL TO THE WORK OF THE ADH AND NEED CONTINUED FUNDING. THESE IN