Building Local Capacity Through National Support

Across the country, NACCHO’s infectious disease initiatives, particularly those related to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), are helping local health departments strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) infrastructure, improve coordination with healthcare partners, and expand access to training and technical expertise. One example of this sustained impact can be found at the Central District Health Department (CDHD) in Nebraska, where NACCHO’s multi-year investments transformed the department’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats.

From Pandemic Response to Sustainable IPC Leadership

When COVID-19 struck, CDHD faced an overwhelming surge of cases across hospitals, long-term care, and assisted living facilities. Before receiving NACCHO support through the Building Local Operational Capacity for COVID-19+ (BLOC COVID-19+) Project, the department did not have a dedicated Infection Prevention Coordinator. With BLOC+ funding, CDHD established this critical role, trained staff in infection prevention, and built relationships with partners such as the Nebraska Medicine Infection Control Assessment and Promotion (ICAP) Program and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. These efforts laid the foundation for a lasting IPC program.

That foundation expanded under NACCHO’s Building Up Infection Prevention and Control in Local Departments in Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (BUILD HAIAR) Project, which formalized CDHD’s protocols, enhanced collaboration with healthcare partners, and supported the creation of the Nebraska HAI Liaison Program. Through this initiative, each local health department in Nebraska now designates an HAI Liaison who works with state partners to strengthen surveillance, prevention, and antimicrobial stewardship across healthcare settings.

“NACCHO’s support didn’t just fund our work, it created the foundation for lasting infection prevention infrastructure in our community.” — Nancy Esch, MPH, RN, IBCLC, CIC, Central District Health Department.

Using Data to Target Support Where It’s Needed Most

With funding from NACCHO’s Pathways for Robust Preventive Actions and Response Efforts (PREPARE) Project, CDHD developed a Facility Prioritization System to better identify where support and outreach would have the greatest impact. This locally designed system analyzed facility-level infection prevention data, community demographics, and language access indicators to rank facilities by need for training and technical assistance. This data-driven approach ensured that resources and training were directed to healthcare facilities that would benefit most from additional support, which created a more balanced and effective way to strengthen IPC readiness across the district.

Training and Empowering the Frontline Workforce

NACCHO’s Adaptation of Project Firstline Tools and Resources initiative further advanced CDHD’s IPC capacity by creating a dedicated training and resource library for infectious disease staff and developing customized, on-site training for healthcare workers. Using NACCHO and CDC Project Firstline materials, CDHD has now trained more than 200 frontline healthcare workers across 13 facilities throughout the district, building a knowledgeable and confident workforce equipped to implement infection prevention best practices in all settings.

Building Systems That Last

Through technical assistance, funding, and expert collaboration, NACCHO’s support has helped CDHD embed sustainable systems that will endure beyond individual project cycles. Long-term outcomes include continued participation in the Nebraska HAI Liaison Network, ongoing use of the Facility Prioritization System, regular implementation of Project Firstline-based trainings, annual IPC assessments and surveys for healthcare facilities, and a standing IPC training and resource library for staff development. These sustained practices improved coordination, outbreak response, and antimicrobial stewardship locally while also strengthening Nebraska’s broader public health infrastructure.

Strengthening Partnerships and Preparedness

Through NACCHO’s guidance and frameworks, such as the Strategic Collaboration for Outbreak Response and Prevention in Healthcare Settings, CDHD has built strong and lasting partnerships with Nebraska Medicine’s ICAP and ASAP programs, the Nebraska Infection Control Network, APIC, and the American Hospital Association. These collaborations have improved communication, reduced duplication of effort, and fostered coordinated readiness across healthcare systems.

NACCHO’s Lasting Impact

CDHD’s progress demonstrates how NACCHO’s investments in local capacity led to measurable improvements in infection prevention, workforce development, and collaboration. From establishing foundational IPC roles during the pandemic to sustaining long-term systems today, NACCHO’s initiatives continue to help local health departments nationwide move from response to resilience, ensuring every community has the tools, training, and partnerships necessary to prevent infections and protect public health. More information on the scope of this work can be found here.