Apply for an Award

Every year, the Model Practices Program honors and recognizes outstanding local public health practices and shares them through the Model Practices Database. By submitting a practice, local health departments contribute to the overall improvement of public health through effective evidence-based initiatives.

The 2022 Model Practices Program award winners were recently honored at the 2022 NACCHO 360 Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn more about the Model Practices Program by visiting the Model Practices webpage.

2023 Applications

The 2023 Innovative Practice Award application will open this spring.

About the Award

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, NACCHO has developed the Innovative Practice Award to recognize and honor programs and practices that have been quickly and/or creatively developed in response to a specific and emerging public health issue.

The 2023 Innovation Award will focus on practices that were developed in response to emerging and exacerbated health inequities due to COVID-19 and demonstrated effective community partnerships and collaboration, adaptability and quality improvement, and remarkable innovation.

Eligibility

This award is open to active (dues-paying) members of NACCHO whose memberships are in good standing. If you are unsure of your membership status, contact [email protected] or call 877-533-1320.

Your practice is right for the 2023 Innovative Practice Award application if:

(1) it was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim of addressing health inequities OR
(2) it was creatively adapted to meet the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim of addressing health inequities, AND
(3) the practice demonstrates remarkable innovation to address COVID-19 health inequities, but does not yet exhibit the same rigorous program evaluation or long-term sustainability as a Model Practice

Examples

The following are examples of practices that may apply for the Innovative Practice Award -

• Developing communications materials that are culturally and linguistically relevant to historically marginalized communities being impacted by COVID-19 health inequities.
• Shifting operations at syringe service and other harm reduction programs by preparing to-go kits ahead of time to limit the staff needed and the level of client interaction at their physical sites.
• Collaborating with trusted or non-traditional community partners in historically marginalized communities (i.e. schools, barbershops, etc.) to communicate accurate, up to date information on COVID-19 and vaccines to address vaccine hesitancy  
• Expanding safe accessibility to flu vaccines through the development of drive-thru immunization sites  

NACCHO remembers Maurice “Mo” Mullet, MD, who passed away on September 7, 2014. Mullet’s distinguished career in public health inspired NACCHO’s “Mo Mullet Lifetime of Service Award,” which honors local health officials for noteworthy service that reflects Mullet’s commitment, vigor, and leadership. To view Mullet’s obituary, click here.

About the Award

NACCHO’s Mo Mullet Lifetime of Service Award honors local health officials for noteworthy service that reflects Mullet’s commitment, vigor, and leadership. Mo Mullet was a NACCHO board member for three years, vice president for four years, and president from 1992 to 1994. During his career, Mullet achieved statewide and national recognition as a leader among local health officials and in the field of public health.

Eligibility

The career of the recipient of this award will demonstrate the following achievements:

• Leadership among local health departments demonstrated by energetic volunteer service to NACCHO
• Significant contributions to the field of local public health practice as a leader and representative of NACCHO
• Commitment, skill, and effort demonstrated on behalf of NACCHO

Previous Winners

2022: Bruce Dart, PhD

Learn more about Bruce.

2019: Carol Moehrle, RN, BSN

Learn more about Carol.

2018: Rex Archer, MD, MPH

Learn more about Rex.

2017: Marty Wasserman, MD, JD

Learn more about Marty.

2016: Patrick M. Libbey

Learn more about Patrick.

2015: Patrick Lenihan, PhD, MUPP

Learn more about Patrick.

2014: Joan Ellison, RN, MPH

Learn more about Joan.

2013: Mary Selecky

Learn more about Mary.

2012: Robert Harmon, MD, MPH

Learn more about Robert.

About the Award

NACCHO’s vision is health, equity, and security for all people in their communities. Local health departments work daily to realize this vision through their broad mandate for disease prevention, health promotion, and health protection. The Local Health Department (LHD) of the Year Award is intended to recognize outstanding work conducted by LHDs around the nation. It is an opportunity to share the success of our colleagues and celebrate their achievements in the national spotlight of NACCHO’s 360 Annual Conference.

The LHD of the Year Award has been on hold from 2020-2022 to honor the outstanding work of every local health department in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligibility

This award is open only to active (dues-paying) members of NACCHO whose memberships are in good standing. If you are unsure of your membership status, contact [email protected] or call 877-533-1320.

How to Apply

The LHD of the Year Award has been on hold from 2020-2022 to honor the outstanding work of every local health department in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In future years, the successful LHD will be a current, active (dues paying) member of NACCHO. Click here to become a member.

• Awards will be based on the quality of the application and achievement(s) described determined solely at the discretion of NACCHO.
• Separate awards will be granted to LHDs based on population size, i.e., small-A (under 25,000), small-B (<25,000–99,999), medium (100,000–399,999), large (400,000–749,999); and extra-large (750,000 and above).
• Up to three awardees will be selected for each LHD size category. Award recipients will be notified in the spring and will be recognized at the NACCHO 360 Annual Conference.
• For more information, please contact [email protected].

The National Advocate of the Year Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments related to advocacy and outreach to Members of the United States Congress to better health policy outcomes.

About the Award

Many factors go into policymaking decisions. Successful advocacy does not necessarily mean Congress changed or implemented a policy, law or funding level based on recommendations. However, a successful advocate will develop a meaningful relationship with a lawmaker and their staff, and become a trusted messenger and resource in public health matters. Lawmakers are not experts in public health policy, and they rely on their staff and constituents like local health officials to educate them on policy and fiscal matters in order to craft legislation that keeps Americans healthy and safe..

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are any local health department staff. To apply for this award, applicants must show documentation of their advocacy efforts. The awardee(s) will be selected by NACCHO’s Past Presidents Council and will be notified in the spring. The awardee(s) will be recognized at NACCHO 360. There is no application fee for the submission process.

How to Apply

The 2023 application will open in March 2023.

Applicants are asked to provide a detailed yet concise description (500 words maximum) of their advocacy work to address public health issues at the federal level. NACCHO members may nominate another NACCHO member or themselves. Winning applications should include at least one of the following:

I. Virtual Activities

• Wrote and sent a personalized letter to a Member of Congress
• Talked with Congressional Staff by phone
• Tweeted at a Member of Congress
• Wrote an op-ed in a local or national publication promoting the work of public health
• Sent a NACCHO-prepared email to a Member of Congress
• Posted on a Member of Congress’ Facebook wall

II. Meeting Activities

• Met with a Member of Congress and/or Congressional staff at their Washington, D.C. or district office

III. Cultivate Third Party Validators

• Cultivate leaders outside of local health
  department to speak in support of the
  department’s priorities and/or funding.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection: This award honors local environmental health jurisdictions that demonstrate unsurpassed achievement in providing outstanding food protection services to their communities.