Model Practices

NACCHO’s Model Practices Program nationally honors and recognizes outstanding local public health practice and shares the outstanding practices through the Model Practices Database. By submitting a practice, LHDs contribute to the overall improvement of public health through effective evidence-based practice methods.

Model Practices are awarded to local health departments across the country for implementing programs that demonstrate exemplary and replicable outcomes in response to an identified public health need. Promising Practices are exciting approaches and strategies to local public health issues that are on track to becoming Model Practices. Each awarded practice was reviewed by a committee of peers, made up of other local health department professionals, and selected from a competitive collection of applications. 

The call 2026 Model Practice Award submission process is open through 12/31/2025. The submission process has been streamlined and integrated with the abstract submission for the 2026 NACCHO360 and PHI*con Conferences. When submitting your abstract, you have the option to simultaneously submit it for consideration as a Model Practice. 

Key Details: 

• How to Submit: Submit via 2026 PHI*con/NACCHO360 Abstract Portal
• Eligibility: Open to all local health departments and NACCHO affiliate members
• To help you prepare, we’ve attached a Model Practice Application Overview that outlines the criteria, categories, and tips for a successful submission.
   

We are proud to announce our 2025 Model and Promising Practice awardees.

To read about innovative practices during COVID-19, check out our Innovative Practices awardees.

The full database of past Model Practice winners can be found on our application website. Click around to see winners from previous years and read their project descriptions.

If you have any questions concerning the Model Practices program please e-mail [email protected] and a member of NACCHO’s Model Practices team will get back with you.