The Workforce Pathways Program values and supports community-driven work and investments to bridge and expand workforce development initiatives. The Workforce Pathways Community Investment Funding promotes and builds partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs) and public health partners. We do this by investing in work that advances professional opportunities and pathways in public health.
The program intentionally invested $4 million dollars to support community-driven and based work. This investment supports individuals and communities disproportionately affected by health inequities.
Pathways Community Investment Funding and partnership works to:
- Build a public health workforce that represents the communities it serves.
- Promote and provide culturally, linguistically and geographically relevant resources, outreach and engagement.
- Elevate community and underrepresented voices in the field of public health.
- Invest in communities disproportionately affected by health inequities.
Why Community Investments?
The COVID-19 pandemic worsened health inequities in marginalized and underrepresented communities. Many communities struggled to access important resources, services, and opportunities. The Workforce Pathways Program uses community investments to increase efforts to support these communities.
Pathways Community Investments seeks to proactively address and advance a workforce that can improve access to communities during a public health emergency.
Investment Goals
- Expand employment and professional opportunities in public health (i.e. public health agencies and community-based organizations).
- Invest in and fund outreach and engagement efforts. Support public health and community-led internships, mentorships, and workforce programs.
- Find strengths and areas of improvement in the current public health workforce system. Apply community-driven solutions and strategies at the local level.
- Promote and support existing community-led and local public health workforce development programs.
- Raise awareness about public health careers, training, and opportunities to inspire and engage future professionals.
How We Will Use the Funding
Through June 30, 2027, the Workforce Pathways Program will distribute funding to community-based organizations, academic institutions, and health partners. The program will use these funds for public health and workforce development activities. These activities will strengthen and support a diverse public health workforce.
The Pathways Community Investments Funding increases the program's efforts by:
- Showing gaps in the public health workforce and applying community responses and strategies.
- Creating and/or supporting existing community-led and local public health workforce development programs.
- Raising awareness about public health careers, training and opportunities.
2024-2025 Funded Partners
The following table includes community-based and Urban Indian-serving organizations funded through May 2025 to focus on priority communities disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about these organizations and some of their previous or ongoing work through the Community Driven Outreach Initiative and Urban Indian Initiative webpages.
| Organization | Priority Communities Served | Geographic Reach |
|---|---|---|
| American Indian Health Commission | American Indians/Alaska Natives/Urban Indians | Statewide |
| Asian Pacific Cultural Center | Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | Pierce County |
| APartnership | Asian | Statewide |
| Center for Multicultural Health | Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, African Diaspora | King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties |
| Centro Cultural Mexicano | Hispanic/Latina/Latina | King and Snohomish counties |
| Comagine Health | Black/African American | Statewide |
| Desautel Hege (DH) | Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino/Latina | Statewide |
| Health Commons Project | African Diaspora | Statewide |
| The Native Project | American Indians/Alaska Natives/Urban Indians | Spokane County |
| Yakima Valley Community Foundation | Hispanic/Latino/Latina | Yakima, Grant, and Adams counties |
Priority Communities, Backgrounds and Intersections
Funded partners focused outreach efforts on the following priority communities, backgrounds, and intersections:
Priority Communities
- Black/African American
- Hispanic/Latino/Latina
- African Diaspora
- Asian
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
- American Indians/Alaska Natives/Urban Indians
Non-Traditional Backgrounds
- People with non-traditional degrees or experience outside of public health
Priority Intersections
- People with disabilities
- Medically underserved
- Religious groups
- LGBTQ+ communities
- 65+ or retired adults
- Young adults (18+)
- Those affected by poverty or homelessness
- Formerly incarcerated
- Trade schools/programs
- Immigrant/refugees
- Limited English proficiency
- Agricultural workers
- Community health workers
- International medical graduates
Contact Us
For information about Workforce Pathways Community Investments opportunities, please contact us at workforcepathwaysprogram@doh.wa.gov.