The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), which represents the country’s 3,000 local health departments, and the Alzheimer’s Association, have announced the inaugural cohort of the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Strategists. The first nation-wide effort focused on addressing dementia at the local level, the Road Map Strategist Initiative will increase eight local public health departments’ capacity to address cognitive health and dementia in their communities.

The local public health departments selected will receive up to $48,000 in funding and include the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County. The grantees will designate a part-time HBI Road Map Strategist, a public health official working in support and coordination with public health partners, including health systems. With support and guidance from the Alzheimer’s Association and NACCHO, Road Map Strategists will conduct a public health needs assessment, train local health officials and key community partners, and lead implementation of public health action on dementia, informed by guidance from the State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia:, The 2018-2023 Road Map.

The Road Map Strategists are funded by the HBI, a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alzheimer’s Association.