Colorado Public Health Workforce Collaborative
Who We Are
The Colorado Pubilc Health Workforce Collaborative is a partnership of organizations coming together to provide structure and support for the state and local public health agencies through coordination and collaboration across partners working on Contact Tracing initiatives related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the Collaborative is to work together on a public health solution to the containment of COVID-19.
This website serves as a resource for agencies hiring and training personnel and volunteers to respond to COVID-19, for individuals interested in paid or volunteer positions with the COVID-19 response, and for the public and media interested in learning more about Colorado’s community tracing effort.
Recruitment and
Hiring Resources
Onboarding and Training Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Go to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website for the latest updates about COVID-19 in Colorado.
Background
In Colorado, as we enter the next phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, we have to take the necessary steps to increase testing for COVID-19, isolate positive cases, trace contacts of positive cases and quarantine and isolate those who have been exposed. As testing starts to increase across the state, contact tracing efforts must increase to ensure we contain the spread of the virus to the best of our ability. Contact tracing is one of the oldest tools in public health used to contain communicable diseases that have few or no treatment.
As the state takes actions to re-open businesses, schools, public spaces, and other institutions that are essential to ensuring the economy can bounce back, building an epidemiology workforce to investigate cases and trace contacts is essential. It is of the utmost importance that we come together across the state to get this workforce prepared and working.
Colorado’s community tracing effort will include Case Investigators who reach out to individuals testing positive for COVID-19 with information about quarantine and to gather information about other individuals who may have been exposed. Contact Tracers then communicate with those individuals to let them know what precautions they should take to avoid unintentional spread of the virus. A third important role of Resource Navigators works with individuals who may need support connecting with services and resources.
Because Colorado is a “local-control” state, the onus of the public health work to and the need falls heavily on local public health agencies. Though support from state agencies can be helpful, local agencies see and hear the issues that face their communities every day and must respond in a way that meets the needs of their communities. Local agencies are already stretched thin with the necessary work they must do related to the outbreak of COVID-19. Hence, the need for an additional workforce is not only helpful but vital. The Colorado Public Health Workforce Collaborative was formed to meet the needs of local public health agencies and communities.