Washington, DC, February 22, 2024 — 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 16 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. These 16 agencies successfully renewed their recognition for the 2023 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 have the opportunity to build partnerships with local, state, and federal leaders, community response partners, and other stakeholders; and facilitate collaboration and team building across the entire health department.

Congratulations to the following agencies:

• Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas)
• Barren River District Health Department (Kentucky)
• Broome County Health Department (New York)
• Philadelphia Department of Public Health (Pennsylvania)
• Tennessee Department of Health West Region
• Davis County Health Department (Utah)
• Cumberland Plateau Health District (Virginia)
• Prince William Health District (Virginia)
• Piedmont Health District (Virginia)
• Mount Rogers Health District (Virginia)
• Fairfax County Health Department (Virginia)
• Loudoun County Health Department (Virginia)
• Three Rivers Health District (Virginia)
• Rappahannock Area Health District (Virginia)
• West Piedmont Health District (Virginia)
• Central Shenandoah Health District (Virginia)

Additional information about PPHR can be found online.

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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.