Consistent Staffing = Consistent Services: How Louisville's Health Dept. Hit an 85% Retention Rate

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness has been using Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) funding to collect, track, and act on data related to workforce needs, preferences, and satisfaction. As a result, the department has attained a retention rate of over 85%. Grant Program Evaluator Cat Lee explains how they got there and why sustaining that progress is so important. Louisville Metro used PHIG dollars to create and analyze internal engagement surveys, then turned employee feedback into action. Based on survey insights, they developed a popular mental wellness speaker series that tied into workplace wellness. But retention isn't just about keeping staff happy. It's about maintaining the relationships that fuel the department’s connections to their communities. For example, their partnership with the Casita Center - which provides monthly vaccination events for Louisville's Latinx community - depends on consistent, trusted staff relationships. The benefits of staff retention compound over time. PHIG funding also allowed the department to retain a dedicated grants program coordinator, which led to streamlined procurement processes. The department is now able to pursue new funding opportunities more efficiently. And because staff feel seen, supported, and invested in, the department isn't losing time, money, and relationships due to high turnover. That means more effective and consistent services for community members.