Public health workforce development: keeping population health goals in mind.

In the public health field, there is an identified need to develop the public health workforce strategically to meet the needs of a changing public health landscape. The "core competencies" that support the implementation of the core functions of public health must be tied to the mission and goals of the agency or program, and examined in light of the specific population health concerns they are meant to address. CAST-5 is offered as an example of a tool fulfilling this role for state Maternal and Child Health programs.