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This report examines how enhancing relationships through a technical assistance hub model can improve public health resource coordination.

February 11, 2026

Are Relationships the Key to Effective Technical Assistance Centers? A Practice Report of 3 Efforts to Coordinate Public Health Resources in Times of Need

Key Points

This report examines how enhancing relationships through a technical assistance hub model can improve public health resource coordination.
Developed the Technical Assistance Hub model by the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI).
Implemented the hub model three times, detailing each version and lessons learned.
Conducted process and outcome evaluations to measure model effectiveness and resource management.
STLTs reported valuing the Technical Assistance Hub Model for its efficient resource alignment.
Centralized contracting and local expertise reduced inefficiencies in addressing public health needs.
The model promoted sharing of best practices and reduced service duplication, enhancing overall public health response.

Abstract

Context: Chronic underfunding limits the capacity of governmental State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial health agencies (STLTs) to respond to public health needs. Nongovernmental entities such as Public Health Institutes (PHIs) have the flexibility, staffing, expertise, and relationships to provide training and technical assistance (TTA) to address workforce gaps. The time it takes to build connections and execute contracts creates inefficiencies in how public funds are spent. Efforts to reduce these barriers to efficiently address both existing and emerging public health needs are understudied and/or infrequently publicly shared. Program: The National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) developed the TTA Hub model to quickly deploy adaptable public health expertise, minimize duplication, and improve service delivery efficiency. Regional hubs coordinate local support for STLTs, with NNPHI acting as the central coordinator. As the central hub, NNPHI simplifies the contracting process, links expertise across regions, detects emerging needs, and promotes the sharing of best practices among localities, thereby aiding in system-wide alignment of public health strategies. Implementation: NNPHI has deployed the TTA Hub Model 3 times. Each version of the model is detailed, including similarities, differences, and key lessons learned. Process evaluation data indicate that the model effectively manages resources and aligns with best practices for TTA delivery. An outcome evaluation of the current model version is in progress. Conclusion: Process evaluation data indicate that STLTs value the TTA Hub Model. Centralized contracting, communication, and keeping local experts on retainer reduce time inefficiencies. The hub structure ensures that local knowledge is leveraged to address local problems, while the national reach of NNPHI decreases service duplication, accelerates the scaling up of best practices, and creates opportunities to build trust among key actors. However, the model’s success depends on sustainable and flexible funding to support collaboration and partnerships across national, regional, state, and local levels.

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