Gateway to Growth: HIPHI Supporting Nationwide Workforce Infrastructure

The 2025 Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) Annual Recipient Convening, themed Gateway to Growth, took place from August 18–21 in St. Louis, Missouri. The convening provided a vibrant platform for public health leaders to gather, collaborate, and drive infrastructure innovation. 

Attendees included health department leaders from across the nation, national partners, technical assistance providers, and public health experts. Foundational discussions centered on building resilient public health infrastructure and enhancing community impact. Innovation workshops equipped attendees with strategies to scale and sustain investments that benefit their communities. 

HIPHI co-facilitated a 75-minute workshop alongside partners from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), the Public Health Institute (CA), the Otowi Group, and the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). This session featured tools and exercises to support health department officials in planning their PHIG activities. 

In addition, HIPHI presented a poster highlighting a joint project with ASTHO to establish an Island Network for community health workers (CHWs) and allies in the U.S. Atlantic and Pacific territories and freely associated states. Participants from Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands engaged in meaningful discussions about workforce capacity, challenges, and island-centric strategies for CHW job sustainability. 

HIPHI looks forward to continuing this momentum as new funding opportunities arise. CHWs from these jurisdictions are invited to join the Hawai‘i Community Health Worker Association to connect with peers and access resources that support community well-being. 

For more information, please contact Makamae Namahoe at makamae@hiphi.org.