Division of Strategic Initiatives
The Division of Strategic Initiatives contributes to a healthier Tennessee by driving health strategy, building partnerships, and growing state and community capacity through resource development, grant management, and coaching support.About TDH's Division of Strategic Initiatives
The Division of Strategic Initiatives contributes to a healthier Tennessee by driving health strategy, building partnerships, and growing state and community capacity through resource development, grant management, and coaching support.
Our Team Includes:
Office of Strategic Planning
Leads the development and implementation of TDH’s four-year Strategic Plan and provides coaching and facilitation support to TDH teams in strategic visioning, planning, performance management, and execution.
Office of Community Collaboration & Impact
Supports Tennessee’s County Health Councils in conducting community health assessments, identifying local priorities, and advancing community-driven initiatives that improve population health outcomes.
Office of Healthcare Resiliency
Administers the Healthcare Resiliency Program (HRP), competitive grants that support innovative, integrated care delivery models designed to improve access to health-related services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Office of Grant Coordination
Leads administration and coordination of major statewide funding initiatives, including the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) and Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), strengthening Tennessee’s public health workforce, infrastructure, and long-term system capacity.
Contact: Jennifer Trail, Director: jennifer.trail@tn.gov
Program Connections
TDH's Strategic Plan
TDH's current 4-Year Strategic Plan covers January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2027, and is part of Tennessee's enterprise strategic planning framework for cabinet-level departments. The plan provides a shared framework for aligning department priorities, coordinating implementation, and supporting continuous improvement across TDH.
The Strategic Plan helps connect day-to-day work with longer-term priorities that support healthier people, healthier communities, and a healthier Tennessee. Cross-sectoral goal teams from around the state support work across the following strategic priority areas.
Strategic Priority Areas
Prevention - Implement primary prevention initiatives.
Access - Increase access to quality care and services while improving safety.
Efficiency - Improve internal processes to increase efficiency.
Engagement - Grow the impact of community-led initiatives.
Equity - Work to eliminate health disparities and improve health outcomes for all communities in Tennessee.
Workforce - Support the growth of a competent, developing workforce.
Excellence - Strengthen departmental capacity for data-informed decision-making and evidence-based policy development.
Innovation - Improve TDH's technology foundation and infrastructure.
Together, these priority areas help TDH teams focus planning, coordination, and follow-through across the department
Support Resources for County Health Councils
Health Council Building Blocks
Building Block 1: Mission Vision Values
Building Block 2: Membership Analysis
Building Block 3: Rules of Engagement
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in Tennessee – 2022 BRFSS Findings
Understanding SDOH
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are conditions where people live, work, and play that significantly influence health and wellbeing. These factors include access to food, housing, education, and healthcare. In Tennessee, SDOH data collected in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) underscores the connection between these social conditions and health outcomes, with disparities often tied to economic and racial inequities.
2022 Key Findings from Tennessee
- Over 50% of Tennesseans reported at least one SDOH risk factor, with 14% experiencing four or more.
- Communities of color reported higher SDOH risk factors compared to Non-Hispanic White Tennesseans, highlighting inequities.
- Individuals with poor mental health, depression, or lacking insurance more commonly faced higher SDOH risks.
- Smoking and limited physical activity were linked to increased SDOH risk factors.
Click here to read the full report.
Impact on Health
Higher SDOH risk scores correlate with poorer mental and physical health, reduced access to healthcare, and barriers like cost or lack of insurance. Addressing SDOH is essential to improving overall health outcomes and fostering equity across Tennessee.
Efforts to Address SDOH
The Tennessee Department of Health is dedicated to tackling SDOH through initiatives like:
- Healthcare Access: Programs such as CHANT and local health departments improve resource availability.
- Economic Stability: WIC and nutrition assistance support families in need.
- Healthy Environments: Grants for livable communities and efforts through County Health Councils.
- Health Disparity Reduction: Targeted programs for minority and rural populations.
This Page Last Updated: May 21, 2026 at 9:48 AM