Current Applicants

• Application in Word | Application in PDF
• Intent to Apply Form (CLOSED)
• Application Signature Form (Open May 2026)

For further guidance, please refer to the Applicant Rulebook.
 

• Application in Word | Application in PDF
• Intent to Apply Form (CLOSED)
• Application Signature Form (CLOSED)

Special Note: For those applying for Re-Recognition, it is highly recommended that an Initial Application is used if your LHD has been through significant changes. 

Click on the tab above that correlates with your agency’s application type then click on the cycle year you are in. The application can be found in either MS Word or Adobe PDF based on your cycle year. Remember that versions matter! 

NACCHO supports applicants and State Leads through the application process by providing technical assistance throughout the application period, including providing an initial orientation, participating in periodic conference calls, and maintaining regular communication with state leads and applicants.

If you are qualified for re-recognition, we are permitted to use the newly updated re-recognition application. 

That said, agencies may consider reapplying using the initial recognition application. This may be appropriate after major organizational changes, such as restructuring or leadership transitions. This option must be discussed with and approved by NACCHO prior to re-recognition applicants submitting the Intent to Apply Form. Contact NACCHO for further guidance. 

Yes. All returning applicants are expected to attend our annual orientation and training meeting. It is a meeting meant for all applicants of each new cycle. 

The meeting serves as a refresher and an opportunity for re-recognition applicants to learn of any new or significant changes that may have occurred in the program within the last 5 years between recognition cycles.  

This Refund Policy applies to payments made for Project Public Health Ready (PPHR). By submitting a payment, you agree to the terms outlined below.

1. Payment Fee Overview:
   1. The payment fee for PPHR is a non-refundable payment made at the time of applying to cover costs associated with the program.
       
2. Deferment Policy:
   1. Applicants who are unable to complete their intended cycle period are eligible for a one-year deferment.
   2. Applicants must notify NACCHO by the last Friday in June of their need to defer for one year.  
   3. During this deferment period, the funds will be held and can be used for/applied to the next cycle period.
      1. In exceptional cases, extensions to this deferment policy may be granted only with approval from the Director of the PPHR program.
          
3. Expiration of Funds:
   1. After the one-year deferment period, any funds that have not been applied to the next PPHR cycle will expire.
      1. Expired funds cannot be used for any future payments, program offerings, or services.
      2. The expired funds will be considered forfeited by the payer.
   2. In exceptional cases, extensions or exceptions to this expiration policy may be granted only with approval from the Director of the PPHR program.
       
4. Final Decision:
   1. Any decisions regarding deferment or expiration of funds are final. No further action or reimbursement will be provided after the expiration period has passed.
   2. In exceptional cases, refunds may be considered.

Contact Information:
For any questions regarding this policy or for special inquiries regarding deferment or use of funds within the deferment period, please contact the PPHR program team at [email protected]. By submitting your payment for PPHR, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this Return Policy. 

The following procedures outline the appeals process available to health departments after a PPHR recognition decision has been made. This process defines the specific circumstances under which a health department may appeal the recognition decision and provides a detailed outline of the steps involved in an appeal. A health department is not qualified for an appeal unless its application has gone through the complete full review process, including the Second-Round Submission process. The appeal procedure outlined here is the sole method available for a health department to seek remedy if it believes a decision was made in error. This process is not for seeking reimbursement or refund of application fees. 

Appeal Process:

1. Eligibility for Appeal
   Applicants who are not granted recognition after completing the initial and second-round submission processes may appeal their recognition status under the following circumstances:
   • National Reviewer Oversight: This includes instances where a national reviewer team has made errors, such as requesting information outside the scope of the established goals and measures or introduces new deficiencies that were not part of the original additional evidence request.
   • NACCHO Oversight: This includes errors, such as the final scoring calculation.
   • Documented Inconsistencies: This applies if there is evidence that demonstrates national review teams’ final scores were inconsistent with one another.
      
2. Submission of Appeal
   Eligible applicants must submit a formal notice of appeal within 30 days upon receiving notification of their recognition status from NACCHO. If this deadline is not met, the applicant's right to appeal is forfeited, and recognition decision will stand. 
   
   The notice of appeal must include:
   • Clear rationale for the appeal based on one of the reasons listed in section #1.
   • Detailed justification supporting that rationale.
   • Any relevant documentation or evidence to substantiate the justification.
   • A list of specific criteria elements the applicant requests the appeals committee to consider during the review.
      
3. Initial Review by Appeals Committee
   Once the notice of appeal is received, the appeals committee - consisting of one National Reviewer, one NACCHO staff, and one workgroup member- will review the appeal to determine if the applicant is eligible to proceed with the appeal. The committee will notify the applicant of their appeals eligibility within 30 days from the date the appeal is initially reviewed.
    
4. Official Review and Decision by Appeals Committee
   If the appeal is deemed eligible, the appeals committee will convene to review the information submitted by the applicant. The committee will make a collective decision regarding the appeal's outcome. If necessary, the committee may request additional clarification or documentation from the applicant to inform their decision.
    
5. Timeline for Final Decision
   The appeals committee will issue a final decision and communicate that decision to the applicant via email within 90 days from the date the committee determines the eligibility of the appeal.
    
6. Finality of the Appeals Committee’s Decision
   The decision made by the appeals committee is final and binding. No further appeals or reviews of the decision will be considered.

Reapplication Process
Agencies that are not recognized after the appeal process may reapply for PPHR recognition at a future date with no restrictions. Any reapplication will be treated as a new application, subject to that cycle's application procedures and fees. All agencies that reapply must follow the full process including submission and review of new materials as required. 

These procedures establish a consistent, equitable, and transparent framework for resolving disputes regarding recognition decisions, allowing health departments to appeal based on clearly defined rationale.