The sustainability of the governmental public health system depends on the financial health of state and local public health agencies. This is a challenge because public health programs and services are often provided in fiscally strapped environments (e.g., government revenue declines, budget reductions, economic recessions, unfunded mandates). NACCHO's research and engagement with local health departments (LHDs) across the country provides a national perspective on the local public health financial situation. This website provides resources to help LHDs sharpen their big picture understanding of local public health finance and enhance their individual organizational financial health.

501(c)(3) Decision Guide for Local Health Departments in Community Health Coalitions

The goal of this decision guide is to increase local health departments’ (LHDs’) knowledge of the advantages, disadvantages, and considerations of formalizing a community health coalition under 501(c)(3) nonprofit status through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to assist with their community health improvement (CHI) efforts.

Innovation Snapshots and Webinar Series

NACCHO conducted a systematic literature review to uncover various ways in which local health departments and their partners use innovative financing approaches to address their community health needs, or to address limited funding. Additionally, NACCHO conducted key informant interviews with local health departments nationwide to develop a deeper understanding of these methods and gather case examples of each.

The Innovation Snapshots describe the benefits, considerations, and case examples of the funding mechanisms.

With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NACCHO worked with JP Leider, PhD and Jason Orr, MPH to conduct interviews and develop case studies of three local health departments to understand how the federal grants and cooperative agreements from the CDC make their way to local health departments across the country. These case studies discuss the importance of characterizing requirements and synthesize learnings on delivering upon agreements and the impacts of facilitating and impeding requirements.

Join the Local Public Health Finance Community of Practice (CoP)!

The purpose of the CoP is for local health department finance staff to connect with their peers, share resources, discuss common challenges, and provide insight into the needs of local public health finance nationwide.

The CoP meets quarterly. To learn more and register for upcoming meetings, join the Virtual Community.

• "Anatomy of a Public Health Agency Turnaround: The Case of the General Health District in Mahoning County" examines methods used by LHDs to reverse periods of financial and operational declines. (Journal of Public Health Management and Practice).
• For the Public's Health: Investing in a Healthier Future (2012) examines public health measurement, law, and funding in this three report series with actionable recommendations for agencies and stakeholders.
  
• Public Health Finance & Management provides access to information and training around financial management in public health.
• "Public Health Financial Management Competencies" can be used to help refine position descriptions, assess performance, identify gaps and create programs. (Journal of Public Health Management and Practice).
• Public Health National Center for Innovations is a division of the Public Health Accreditation Board providing trainings, tools, and opportunities to connect across sectors.

For more information on public health finance, you can email phisteam@naccho.org.