The Preparedness Policy Advisory Group (PPAG) held its monthly call on September 14, 2016. During the call, Eli Briggs, Senior Director of NACCHO Government Affairs, provided details on NACCHO’s collaborative efforts with other partners to gain Zika funding as well as the NACCHO 2017 Federal Legislative and Policy Agenda. PPAG members were encouraged to provide input on the 2017 Federal Legislative and Policy Agenda, a document created to guide NACCHO work as the National voice for local health departments, particularly for interactions with Federal agencies and Congress. Members were encouraged to reach out to their members of Congress and their staff regarding support for Zika emergency funding and the restoration of PHEP funding.

In addition, Katie Dwyer, Public Health Preparedness Director at NACCHO provided a review of proposed changes to the NACCHO All Hazards Preparedness Policy statement as well as an informal poll on the surveillance systems currently being used at the local level. Other discussions included a review of NACCHO’s new Virtual Communities member engagement site, NACCHO Stories from the field, Roadmap to Ready, and the 2017 Preparedness Summit. The next PPAG call is scheduled for October 12, 2016.

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The Preparedness Policy Advisory Group (PPAG) is NACCHO’s overarching preparedness workgroup, focusing on national preparedness policy, planning, and implementation issues. The PPAG seeks to strengthen the voice of local health departments on national policy issues related to the planning, response, and recovery from disasters and other emergencies. In addition, the PPAG provides input and feedback to NACCHO to inform the organization’s position on a variety of high-level initiatives. PPAG consist of LHD preparedness representatives from each state and each of the four directly funded cities (Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, and Washington DC). For more information, contact Porschea Lewis, NACCHO staff lead for PPAG.