Back to Success Stories - Keeping the Faith: Jaylin’s Commitment to Public Health

LaTasha (LT) Scruggs built her career on service, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the CDC mission. She began her journey at just 21 years old as a contractor as a branch secretary and secured a full‑time position in 2006 as a Management and Program Analyst. Over the next 25 years, she served across multiple programs and offices, including the National Center for Environmental Health, the Strategic National Stockpile, the Emergency Operations Center, the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, and the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity.

LT combined her passion for customer service, administrative operations, and public health while steadily advancing from a GS‑5 equivalent position to serving as an Acting Management Officer in a

GS‑15 role. One of her proudest achievements came during her time with the Strategic National Stockpile, where she identified issues with inaccurate travel vouchers and strengthened oversight processes. Her efforts resulted in a 99.6% error‑free travel rate and ensured staff were reimbursed within five days of returning from deployment, a success publicly recognized during an all‑hands meeting.

During emergency responses, LT often worked around the clock, sometimes staying on campus for three consecutive days to support critical operations. “CDC is my family,” she shared. “I miss the people, the community, and the purpose.”

After being terminated unexpectedly, LT faced significant financial hardship while continuing to care for her children and grandchildren. Despite the shock and uncertainty, she leaned on her resilience and resourcefulness, converting part of her home into an Airbnb to help make ends meet while shielding her family from the stress she carried. Support from the CDC Mutual Aid Fund helped her cover essential expenses such as utilities, daycare, gas, and groceries during the holiday season. Beyond the financial assistance, LT said the encouragement and consistent communication from the Mutual Aid staff reminded her that she was not alone and gave her renewed hope during an incredibly difficult time.

Today, LT is rebuilding with purpose — continuing her education, serving her community, and preparing for the next chapter of her public health journey.

Now nearly nine years into his journey toward becoming a full-time CDC employee, Jaylin continues to hold onto that dream with determination, faith, and an unwavering commitment to public health. Despite the challenges facing the field in recent years, he still believes deeply in the mission and the community behind the work. For Jaylin, the support he received was more than financial assistance, it was a powerful reminder that compassion, service, and hope still exist within the public health community and that people truly care about one another. He hopes others facing setbacks will remember that persistence matters, even when the road feels long and uncertain. “Just don’t give up,” he said. “Don’t give up on your dreams. Don’t give up on trying. Know that there are people out there that care and that it won’t always be this way.” Through every challenge, Jaylin remains hopeful that his journey is leading him exactly where he is meant to be.