On April 26, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) hosted more than one-hundred representatives from local health agencies at a reception in Atlanta, Ga. in celebration of achieving Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) recognition. A total of 28 health agencies were honored for their readiness to face public health emergencies of all-hazards such as bioterrorism events, new epidemics, and natural disasters.
Dr. Oscar Alleyne, senior advisor, Programs, opened the reception with an affirmation of the hard work the PPHR program requires, “I can honestly say I understand the dedication of time, staff, and resources required for PPHR and I commend each of you here tonight for achieving this recognition.” Dr. Alleyne would know. Prior to his tenure at NACCHO, Dr. Alleyne served as epidemiologist in PPHR-recognized agency Rockland County Health Department in N.Y.
The PPHR recognition process is extensive and can take anywhere from 10-to-20 months, requiring a significant time commitment from applicants. NACCHO acknowledges the undertaking of successfully completing and obtaining PPHR recognition. These agencies have met the requirement of successfully meeting three project goals: All-hazards preparedness planning, workforce capacity development, and quality improvement through exercises and real events.
The PPHR criteria complies with national standards for local public health preparedness and are updated regularly to incorporate the latest national initiatives and federal guidance. Dr. Umair Shah, executive director, Harris County Public Health, and NACCHO president acknowledged its significance, “Standards-based programs, such as Project Public Health Ready, provide an opportunity for local health departments to demonstrate to funders, elected officials, and taxpayers that they are meeting nationally recognized standards and continuously improving performance.”
Counting the newly recognized recipients, the number of PPHR-recognized health agencies surpasses 500 across 27 states.
The following agencies were recognized at the reception:
- Allegheny County Health Department, PA
- Barren River Health District, KY
- Bucks County Health Department, PA
- Cabarrus Health Alliance, NC
- Central Virginia Health District, VA
- City of Laredo Health Department, TX
- City of York Bureau of Health, PA
- Davis County Health Department, UT
- El Paso County Health Department, CO
- Florida Department of Health in Baker County
- Florida Department of Health in Clay County
- Florida Department of Health in Flagler County
- Florida Department of Health in Hendry and Glades County
- Florida Department of Health in Highlands County
- Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County
- Florida Department of Health in Nassau County
- Florida Department of Health in Pasco County
- Florida Department of Health in Putnam County
- Hidalgo County Health and Human Services, TX
- Louisiana Department of Health Region 1
- Louisiana Department of Health Region 6
- Monroe County Department of Public Health, NY
- Montgomery County Health Department, PA
- Ottawa County Health Department, MI
- Salt Lake County Health Department, UT
- San Juan Basin Health Department, CO
- Tooele County Health Department, UT
- Wilkes-Barre City Health Department, PA
Health agencies interested in participating in PPHR program can learn more at the Project Public Health Ready website or by contacting [email protected].
