Apply for an Award

Naccho Annual 2018

Each year, NACCHO recognizes the remarkable accomplishments of local health departments and health officials through the following awards. Winners are honored at a special ceremony and reception at the NACCHO 360 Conference.

Below are descriptions for all annual awards, including eligibility and submission requirements. For more information, please contact [email protected].

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.

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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].

Small Category

Bernards Township Health Department, New Jersey
Laurel County Health Department, Kentucky

Medium Category

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, Illinois

Large Category

Dakota County Health Department, Minnesota
Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County

Extra Large Category

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, California
Salt Lake County Health Department, Utah

Small Category

Lincoln County Health Department

Medium Category

Fulton County Public Health Department
Kansas City, Missouri Health Department
Linn County Public Health

Large Category

Baltimore City Health Department
Erie County Department of Health
Nassau County Department of Health

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.

NACCHO is proud to announce its 2022 Innovative Practice Award Winners. Visit the Innovative Practice Award Database to learn more about the award-winning programs developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presented to for an innovative program
Albany County Department of Health Collaboration to Advance Mobile COVID-19 Testing in Underserved Communities
County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency San Diego County COVID-19 Response - Academic Detailing by Zip Code
Florida Department of Health in Seminole County Community Integrated Mobile Health Services
Jefferson County Department of Health Online Naloxone Program
Broome County Health Department Broome County Mobile COVID-19 Rapid Testing Site
Pima County Health Department Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Communities of Color
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County Mitigating the Spread of COVID-19 in People Experiencing Homelessness
Metro Denver Partnership for Health COVID-19 Response
Presented to for an innovative program
County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency Operationalizing the Live Well San Diego Framework: a Population Health Approach to COVID19 Pandemic
Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County Virtual Programming to Expand Chronic Disease Education
Northampton Health Department Regional Face Mask Distribution Program
Oswego County Health Department Phone Bank to Promote Health Equity in the Pandemic Response in a Rural County
Rensselaer County Department of Health Naloxone Now- Free Contactless Delivery of Narcan
Presented to for an innovative program
Anne Arundel County Department of Health Strengthening Families Program
Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health Promoting Influenza Vaccine During a Pandemic: Strategies from Local Public Health
County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency Operationalizing the Live Well San Diego Framework during the COVID-19 Pandemic: COVID-19 Prevention Hygiene Kit Distribution Program
County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency Cross-border (San Diego-Tijuana) COVID-19 collaboration
El Paso County Public Health Supporting Data-based Dialogue During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Florida Department of Health in Broward County Implementation of Mass Prophylaxis Plan for COVID19 Testing
Florida Department of Health in Broward County COVID PH Safety: Fit Testing and Don/Doff Training: AHCA, County, Nat'l Guard, DOH, Nurses
Franklin County Health Department COVID 19 Testing Drive Thru Clinics
Houston Health Department Better. Together. COVID-19 Communications and Outreach Campaign
Johnson County Public Health Integration Of An Online Survey Tool To Streamline COVID-19 Case Investigations
Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness Health Equity During a Pandemic
Nassau County Department of Health COVID-19 Workforce Response
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Adapting in a Time of Crisis: A New Style of Providing Technical Assistance
PHSKC Environmental Health Services Division Safe Start for Taverns & Restaurants (SSTAR) Program
Public Health – Seattle & King County Monitoring & evaluation of COVID-19 impacts on social, economic & overall health
San Antonio Metropolitan Health District Congregate Settings COVID Response Team
San Antonio Metropolitan Health District Community Outreach & Communications: San Antonio’s Approach to COVID-19 in Communities of Color
Snohomish Health District Child Care Health Outreach Program, Maternal & Child Health, Prevention Services
Tarrant County Public Health Adapting Delivery - Curbside WIC Services During COVID-19
Tri-County Health Department Developing a Homegrown, GIS-Based COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Software System by Leveraging Existing Internal Technology
Presented to for an innovative program
Alexandria Health Department ALX Promise: Bridging Public Health and Economic Recovery
Town of Brookline Brookline Department of Public Health
Carlton County Public Health & Human Services Drive Through Immunization Clinic
Cobb & Douglas Public Health Power in Truth: The 2020 Virtual Experience
County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency Community Health Worker Communication and Outreach Services
Denver Public Health Innovative data integration techniques to streamline COVID Case Management
El Paso County Public Health COVID-19 Regional Recover Council: A Balanced Approach to Public and Economic Health
Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County Transforming WIC Program Services to Provide Uninterrupted Access to Care
Florida Department of Health – St. Lucie Drive Thru HIV/STI Testing
Harris County Public Health Evaluating the COVID-19 Response through an In-Action Review (IAR)
Houston Health Department Houston COVID-19 Testing Plan to Address Access and Equity
Ionia County Health Department Providing Fruits and Vegetables to At-Risk Families during the COVID-19 Crisis
Jefferson County Department of Health Public Safety Expedited COVID-19 Testing Program
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department Introducing Virtual Food Safety Inspections at Long-Term Care and Other Food-Related Facilities
Madison County Department of Health SARS-CoV2 Early Warning Surveillance Platform (SARS2-EWSP)
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