Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) Evaluation Information

Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) Office of Policy, Planning, and Statistics (OPPS) Evaluation Unit (EU) plays a critical role in evaluating and monitoring the implementation and outcomes of PHIG. OPPS Evaluation Unit ensures transparency, accountability, and strategic learning across PHIG-funded programs through a robust evaluation and performance tracking framework.

As part of PHIG, the OPPS EU monitor a robust set of performance measures. These metrics are designed to assess progress, address challenges and ensure accountability in strengthening the public health infrastructure across the state.

OPPS EU focuses on tracking how effectively local health departments (LHDs) are expanding their workforce, utilizing grant resources and engaging in system-level improvements. Key areas of evaluation include the accuracy of reported hiring data, alignment of job classifications and program areas, timeliness of staff onboarding, appropriate use of funds, staff retention and responsiveness to technical guidance.

Under PHIG, progress is documented through a comprehensive set of evaluation fields designed to capture both implementation and impact. Each milestone is monitored by status—whether it has not yet begun, is in progress, has been completed, or is experiencing delays. For every milestone, programs provide narrative updates describing the work accomplished, outlining specific actions taken, and identifying any deliverables produced. These milestone updates intentionally align with PHIG domains and CDC-prioritized public health infrastructure areas.

Progress reporting also compares expected versus actual timelines, allowing teams to track whether work is occurring as planned and to identify where delays may be emerging. Staffing and capacity remain central to evaluation, with tracking of new hires, position types, onboarding activities, and overall workforce development efforts.

When challenges arise—such as staffing shortages, data limitations, or policy restrictions—these are documented to help clarify barriers to progress. Offices or LHDs can also note any technical assistance or additional support needed, whether related to guidance, resources, or clarification.

To ensure alignment with broader public health goals, each milestone includes a statement describing its anticipated impact on local communities and how it supports health equity. Programs also reflect on successes and lessons learned, highlighting meaningful achievements, effective strategies, and innovations that have advanced their work.

These tracked fields support robust evaluation practices, ensure alignment with federal expectations, and ultimately help IDPH and its partners understand what is working, where adjustments are needed, and how PHIG initiatives are strengthening Illinois’ public health infrastructure. All reported data is entered into the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Public Health Infrastructure Visibility and Evaluation (PHIVE) system to maintain national visibility and facilitate alignment with CDC benchmarks.

The Office of Policy, Planning, and Strategic Evaluation (OPPS EU) is leading two major Targeted Evaluation Plans (TEPs) under the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) to measure the impact of key statewide initiatives in Illinois. The first, the Public Health Leadership and Systems Change (PHLISC) evaluation, examines how effectively the leadership program develops systems thinking among Fellows and strengthens public health capacity. This evaluation explores multiple dimensions, including participant satisfaction, knowledge and skill development, behavioral change, and how applied learning translates into measurable organizational and community impact. Feedback from program facilitators and coaches further enriches this assessment, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of program performance and long-term influence. The second evaluation focuses on Healthy Illinois 2028, a statewide health improvement and equity initiative. This process evaluation concentrates on one of the plan’s core priorities—chronic disease, emerging diseases, maternal and infant health, mental health and substance use disorder, and racism as a public health crisis—while also considering two cross-cutting issues: public health infrastructure and social and structural determinants of health. Collectively, these TEPs provide a structured approach to understanding what works, how programs can improve, and how Illinois can sustain progress in leadership development and population health outcomes.

Complementing these evaluation efforts, Illinois’ Data Management Plan (DMP) establishes a strategic foundation for modernizing and integrating public health data systems statewide. The DMP focuses on improving infrastructure, enhancing interoperability, and expanding analytic capacity to strengthen data-driven decision-making. It outlines clear strategies for implementing secure, standardized protocols for data sharing, improving data quality and consistency, and building analytic expertise across the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Local Health Departments (LHDs). Through alignment with the CDC’s Public Health Data Modernization Initiative, the DMP ensures that Illinois’ public health data are timely, accurate, and actionable—supporting more effective evaluation, resource allocation, and strategic planning. Together, the TEPs and the DMP reinforce a comprehensive vision for evidence-based improvement, promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainability in Illinois’ public health infrastructure.

The Data Management Plan (DMP) serves as a strategic framework for strengthening Illinois’ public health data systems, focusing on infrastructure improvements, enhanced interoperability, and expanded analytic capabilities. It is designed to support efficient data collection, secure access, and effective governance—ensuring that public health decisions are driven by timely, accurate, and actionable information.

In support of evaluation efforts, the DMP aims to:

• Implement secure, standardized protocols for data sharing
• Enhance data quality, consistency, and completeness
• Build analytic capacity within both IDPH and Local Health Departments (LHDs)
• Align state data systems with the CDC’s Public Health Data Modernization Initiative