Division of Strategic Initiatives

TDH's Strategic Plan

The Tennessee Department of Health's Strategic Plan supports operationalizing progress across the TDH enterprise, with a process committed to continuous improvement, collaboration, and evaluation. Cross-sectoral goal teams from around the state build on our efforts in the following strategic priority areas.

Prevention | Access | Efficiency | Engagement | Equity | Workforce | Excellence | Innovation

Creating Public Health Change at the Local Level

County Health Councils (CHC) in Tennessee, which have been active in all 95 counties over the last 20 years, have the power to be vital grassroots partners in creating public health change at the local level. Made up of community members from a wide range of sectors, Health Councils know their communities intimately. This means they are positioned not only to readily identify the most pressing needs in their community, but also to identify and work toward solutions that make sense for their communities. 

TDH directly supports those councils in the 89 rural counties through funding and staffing support while regularly collaborating with partners in the 6 metro counties. Because of their cross-sectoral makeup, Health Councils are uniquely positioned to design and implement cross-sectoral strategies that address the complex nature of Social Drivers of Health in their communities.

While membership and mission of County Health Councils may vary from county to county, typical sectors represented include education, planning, local government, healthcare, mental health, juvenile justice, local non-profits, social service organizations, and community members. 

Get Connected

For more information about County Health Councils, send an email to health.councils@tn.gov.

Sign up tp receive the County Health Council newsletter here for monthly updates and information, such as funding and training opportunities. 

County Health Assessment

The County Health Improvement process, including both the County Health Assessment (CHA) and the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), aims to increase the impact of Health Councils by providing a framework for councils to conduct a locally-led needs assessment and action planning process. The CHA guides Health Council members through data collection to determine up to three priorities for the council to address through cross-sector collaboration and community-driven action plans. County Health Councils lead this five-phase process, with administrative and facilitative support from their respective county health departments. In addition, regional health departments and the Office of Strategic Initiatives provide support through technical assistance, resource sharing and shared-learning opportunities.

Goal-Setting for County Health Assessments

The worksheets, guides, data packages, and other resources guide County Health Councils step-by-step through the phases of the County Health Improvement Process, in achieving the following goals: 

1. Increase overall stakeholder engagement and participation in Health Council meetings/activities
2. Support local leadership by providing County Health Councils with structure, support, and resources aimed at identifying and addressing common priorities
3. Facilitate the development of 3-year action plans for each Health Council participating in the CHA process
4. Provide a platform to integrate and align local and state-level strategic planning

County Health Improvement Process

Description: The graphic above is a circular flow chart illustrating the five phases or steps of the Community Health Assessment (CHA) cycle, with a focus on engaging low-income, minority, and underserved populations. From the top, moving clockwise, the steps include: Phase 1 identifying and inviting collaborators to the table; Phase 2 reviewing secondary data; Phase 3 seeking and listening to input from community members; Phase 4 establishing up to three priorities; and Phase 5 developing and executing a collaborative action plan. The circular design reinforces the CHA cycle is a continuous and collaborative process for improving community health.

Worksheets & Guides

Use the worksheets and guides below as your Health Council works through the five phases of the County Health Improvement Process.

County Health Assessment Priorities Dashboard

CHCs conduct a County Health Improvement Process every 3 years. This process includes performing a County Health Assessment (CHA) and a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The interactive tool below provides information on  previous and current CHC counties and their selected health priority areas. For more information on which counties selected a certain health priority area, click on the tabs across the top. 

Evaluation & Reports

2023 Community Health Assessment Report

Tennessee’s County Health Councils play a vital role in improving community health by completing a community health improvement process, in collaboration with the local and regional health departments and the Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI). This includes a Community Health Assessment (CHA) to identify health priorities and a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) to outline strategies for improvement.  

This Report details the evaluation results for the 18 County Health Councils that completed the CHA in 2023. The report highlights the experiences, successes, and lessons learned from the Councils during the CHA process, as well as resources and next steps provided by OSI to further support Councils in their community health improvement efforts.

Previous Reports

2022 Community Health Assessment Cohort Report 

2019 Pilot Cohort Report 

Current County-by-County Data 

2025 Tennessee county demographics, morbidity and mortality rates, key social drivers of health, and more.

What is a Community of Practice?

 “Groups of people who share a concern or passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.” – Étienne Wenger 

The Health Council Community of Practice (CoP) supports local and regional TDH staff and community members who are involved in County Health Council work. With a focus on equity and community engagement, the Community of Practice provides a structured space to celebrate successes, share best practices, build skills, and foster connections that cultivate leadership among County Health Council participants and support staff.

Monthly Networking Calls

The CoP meets online every month to spotlight Health Council work, network, and share resources. If you would like to attend these meetings and receive updates specific to the CoP, please join the mailing list here. 

Spring Summits 2025

The Community of Practice gathered in-person for our third series of spring events across the state. We met in Greeneville, Cookeville, and Jackson to network with other Health Council members and gain tools and resources to support our Health Council work. The program featured opening remarks from Dr. Monty Burks, Deputy Director of the Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative, a Health Council leadership panel, and breakout sessions on meeting facilitation, grant readiness, faith-based partnerships, and disability inclusion in the CHIP.

Contact

For more information on the CoP, please email Atlee Tyree, Community Engagement Strategist, at atlee.tyree@tn.gov.

Sign up for the monthly County Health Council newsletter here.

Empowering Communities

The Community Development Team (CDT) is committed to equipping communities across Tennessee with the tools and support they need to lead lasting change, strengthen capacity, and center community voice. With a focus on equity, collaboration, and sustainability, we provide hands-on, grant-oriented assistance to county health councils and the small community-based organizations they often partner with. Our goal is to strengthen their capacity, expand access to funding, and help sustain local impact.

From grant readiness and funding strategies to tailored trainings, personalized coaching, and community engagement, our services are designed to meet groups where they are and walk alongside them as they grow. Whether you're preparing your first grant application or enhancing your ability to manage and leverage funding, we’re here to support your vision and goals.

Together, we’re advancing community-led solutions to public health challenges—because the most effective change begins within the communities themselves.

Community Development Team Services

1. Grant Rediness Support
Hands-on, step-by-step guidance to prepare organizations for successful grant applications. This service focuses on immediate needs like developing competitive proposals, meeting funder requirements, and strengthening grant management practices to secure funding.

2. Capacity Building & Training
Customized training and resources focused on long-term organizational growth to enhance internal systems, leadership development, and program sustainability. This includes workshops on the components of a grant proposal and more.

3. Personalized Coaching & Monitoring
One-on-one coaching and mentoring to support leaders in strengthening organizational strategy, leadership skills, and operational efficiency. This service focuses on strategic growth, leadership structure, board development, and internal decision-making, not just project-specific tasks.

4. Partnership & Donor Engagement
Helping organizations identify and engaging with external partners, donors, and funders to build strategic relationships that expand funding opportunities. This service focuses on developing collaborative projects, fundraising strategies, and strengthen relationships with foundations, corporations, and community funders.

5. Service TDH Partners & Promoting Community Resilience
Collaborating with TDH staff and regional teams to support statewide public health initiatives. This service focuses on alighning efforts with TDH priorities, providing grant-related support, and strengthening community resilience through state-led partnerships.

6. Localized Community Support
Providing consistent on-the-ground support by actively participating in health council meetings and engaging with local partners. This service ensures timely, tailored assistance for community-driven projects, grant support, and resource connections to meet local needs.

Community Development Team Grant Training

Contacts

Angelia Allen, Community Development Director, angelia.allen@tn.gov

Margaret Taylor, West TN, Community Impact Consultant, margaret.taylor@tn.gov

Darla Sampson, Middle TN, Community Impact Consultant, darla.sampson@tn.gov

Dennis Clark, Southeast TN, Community Impact Consultant, dennis.clark@tn.gov

Emily Mathews, Northeast TN, Community Impact Consultant, emily.mathews@tn.gov

Healthcare Resiliency Program

The Tennessee Dept. of Health’s Healthcare Resiliency Program (HRP) will award competitive grants to eligible applicants in two categories – Capital Investments, and Practice Transformation and Extension – meant to expand capacity, enhance care delivery, invest in technology, and improve access to health and healthcare services across the state. The Tennessee Dept. of Health will administer the HRP grants.

HRP Capital Investment Grants

TDH opened applications for HRP’s Capital Investment grants on Nov. 3, 2022, with $145 million in available funding. The Capital Investment grants will go to projects in the state that increase adult, and pediatric, intensive care unit and floor bed capacity at acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities.

The Capital Improvements application period is now closed and the Helpdesk phone number is no longer active. Questions can be sent via email to HRP.Capital.Improvements@tn.gov.

HRP Practice Transformation & Extension Grants

On Nov. 10, 2022, TDH opened applications for HRP Practice Transformation and Extension grants, with $75 million in available funding. The Practice Transformation and Extension grants will be for projects that improve and upgrade medical practices, technology and service delivery at acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities, and at other institutions, such as schools, that provide health and healthcare services. TDH announced the finalists for the HRP grants in March 2023, with all obligated grant funding to be spent by December 2026.

TDH’s HRP grants are funded through the American Rescue Plan, which passed Congress in March 2022. Tennessee received $3.9 billion in total ARP funds and in August 2021, the state’s Financial Stimulus Accountability Group dedicated $230 million in recovery funding to TDH for healthcare modernization and transformation projects. Questions can be sent via email to HRP.Practice.Transformation@tn.gov.

Support Resources for County Health Councils

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.

Health Council Building Blocks

Building Block 1: Mission Vision Values

Building Block 2: Membership Analysis

Building Block 3: Rules of Engagement

Building Block 3: Rules of Engagement Example

Building Block 4: Coalition Roles and Responsibilities

Health Council Meeting Facilitation Toolkit