Washington, DC, April 23, 2025 — The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the voice of the country’s over 3,300 local health departments, is pleased to announce that 22 agencies from across the United States have been recognized by NACCHO’s Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) for their ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. Five agencies received first-time recognition, and 17 agencies successfully renewed their recognition for the 2024 cycle.

PPHR is a criteria-based training and recognition program established by NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help local health departments develop core public health and emergency preparedness competencies. The PPHR program is an intensive, 18-month process that provides local health departments the structure to build training and preparedness capacities using a continuous quality improvement model. Those who successfully complete the program are PPHR recognized for five years, after which they must reapply to retain the recognition.

Since 2004, more than 500 local health departments have been recognized as meeting all the PPHR requirements individually or working collaboratively as a region. To receive recognition, local health departments must have a written, comprehensive all-hazards response plan that aligns with the highest national and federal standards. Through the process, local health departments can build partnerships with local, state, and federal leaders, community response partners, and other stakeholders; also, they can facilitate collaboration and team building across the entire health department.

Congratulations to the following agencies:

Connecticut

• Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Region 3

Kentucky

• Marshall County Health Department

Louisiana

• Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4 

Michigan

• Barry-Eaton District Health Department
• Kent County Health Department
• Oakland County Health Department 

Missouri

• Jefferson County Health Department 

New Hampshire

• Manchester Health Department

Tennessee

• Shelby County Health Department
• Sullivan County Regional Health Department
• Tennessee Department of Health, East Region

Texas

• Amarillo Public Health Department
• Austin Public Health Department
• Lubbock Public Health Department

Utah

• Weber-Morgan Health Department
• Utah County Health Department 

Virginia

• Alexandria Health Department
• Arlington County Health Department
• Eastern Shore Health District
• Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts
• Lenowisco Health District
• Virginia Beach Department of Public Health 

Additional information about PPHR can be found on NACCHO’s website here. 

Click here to see photos from the awards ceremony held May 1 in San Antonio, Texas.

# # #

About NACCHO

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the country’s over 3,300 local health departments. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. For more information about NACCHO, please visit www.naccho.org.