Get Involved

There are a number of ways to engage with the PPHR program beyond applying as an applicant for recognition.

National Reviewers from across the country to assess each submitted application’s level of compliance with PPHR Goals and Measures. As subject matter experts in the field, national reviewers ensure the integrity and fairness of the PPHR review process.
NACCHO's Subject Matter Expert Advisory Workgroups are smaller groups of subject matter specialists with expertise in a specific programmatic area. Workgroup members assist NACCHO by developing policy statements, advising on issues important to local health departments, and informing NACCHO programs.
State Leads play a critical role as the primary contact between local health departments applying for recognition and NACCHO. State Leads become their state's subject matter experts on PPHR. They navigate the application process with applicants for the state they represent from start to finish and offer state-level guidance to applicants as they develop their application for submission.

As part of the PPHR process, applicants develop their application over the course of nine months and submit their application for National Review. NACCHO recruits and trains National Reviewers from across the country to then assess each submitted application’s level of compliance with PPHR Goals and Measures. As subject matter experts in the field, National Reviewers ensure the integrity and fairness of the PPHR review process. NACCHO values the expertise and unique experiences of LHD personnel, which is why we aim to recruit National Reviewers from a range of professional backgrounds and geographic locations.

Take the Opportunity to:

Connect with other professionals in your field.
Learn about innovative practices in local public health preparedness from across the country.
Support the growth of the local public health preparedness community.

Time Commitment:

Online orientation followed by an online training assessment.
An independent review of 2-3 applications over a six-week span beginning in September.
Conference calls with review team to discuss applications.
One mandatory in-person meeting around mid-October.
- NACCHO will cover appropriate travel, accommodations, and meals for this meeting.
- NACCHO may at any point convert this meeting to a virtual meeting.

General timeline for selected Reviewers:

August: Reviewers will attend one virtual orientation/training and complete an online training assessment.
First week of September: The 6-week review process will begin. Reviewers will be assigned applications and begin working with their review teams.
Week of October 13th: The annual 2-day, in-person National Review Meeting. Location: TBD
- NACCHO may at any point convert this meeting to a virtual meeting.
First week of November: The 4-week review of Additional Evidence will begin.
First 2 Weeks of December: The first half of the Review Cycle will conclude with final review calls conducted virtually.
May: The second half of the Review Cycle starts for any teams who have applicants participating in the second-round submission period.
First 2 Weeks of June: The second half of the Review Cycle will conclude with final review calls conducted virtually.

Interested in applying as a national reviewer for next year? Click here to fill out an application for the 2026 Cycle.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions about National Reviewers and the process.

How do I become a National Reviewer?

Click here to fill out a form to receive an email informing you when the next cycle's National Reviewer applications open up. Once applications open, you simply fill out the form. You will be notified whether or not you were selected after applications close and NACCHO makes their selections.

Click here to fill out an application to become a National Reviewer for the 2026 Cycle.

As previously noted, selected reviewers must attend a virtual orientation and complete a brief training assessment to demonstrate their understanding of the PPHR review process, goals and measures, and scoring and commenting procedures. This is true even for those that have participated in the process before. All national reviewers are expected to be available for the entire review process, including second-round submissions.

Additionally, National Reviewers are encouraged to read through the National Reviewer Rulebook to help familiarize themselves with the process and the new goals and measures.

Who is qualified to be a national reviewer?

National Reviewers are selected by the PPHR staff for their strong understanding of local public health preparedness and response. Most are local health department personnel and include preparedness planners, first responders, exercise and training coordinators, and epidemiologists. Qualified candidates from state health departments and other organizations may also participate as reviewers.

National Reviewers for each review cycle will be selected from the list of interested individuals based on the following criteria:

No affiliation with any application that is under review in the current cycle (this includes both applicants and state leads);
Agreement of all reviewer responsibilities;
Previous PPHR experience as a national reviewer (for lead and primary reviewers);
Public health preparedness experience, particularly on the local level;
Applicant's current position and its relationship to public health preparedness;
Whether the reviewer’s state or local health department is pursuing or interested in pursuing PPHR recognition;
Involvement in developing or contributing to a past PPHR application; and
Representation of a range of geography and professional background.

Note: National Reviewers receive no compensation from NACCHO for their participation.

NACCHO's Subject Matter Expert Advisory Workgroups are smaller groups of subject matter specialists with expertise in a specific programmatic area. Workgroup members assist NACCHO by developing policy statements, advising on issues important to local health departments, and informing NACCHO programs. Workgroup members may provide a voice for NACCHO on the federal level when invited or may be asked to speak at specific conferences and events on behalf of NACCHO. Membership in these groups is by appointment from the chair of the group and the NACCHO staff lead for the group.

NACCHO’s Subject Matter Expert Advisory Workgroups comprise members with expertise in local public health practice. Workgroup members:

Play an integral part in ensuring NACCHO’s policy and advocacy is grounded in the latest science and the day-to-day experience of local health departments;
Connect with peers and other subject matter experts in the field;
Gain exposure to innovative programmatic work at NACCHO and in other local health departments across the country; and
Help craft policy statements, shape strategic messaging on key subject matter areas, review tools and Model Practices, and share perspectives on how local health departments are addressing key public health issues.

Most workgroups meet monthly via conference call and, pending availability of funding, may meet in person annually. Workgroup members may spend anywhere from 1-2 hours per month to 1-2 hours per week on tasks related to workgroup deliverables.

Preparedness Planning, Outcomes, and Measurement (PPOM) Workgroup

The Preparedness Planning, Outcomes, and Measurement (PPOM) Workgroup focuses on the community preparedness and recovery domains of the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) capabilities along with evaluative measures and outcomes including the broader PHEP program, Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), Operational Readiness Review (ORR), and other metrics. A major responsibility of this group is to provide guidance on NACCHO's PPHR Recognition Program, including bi-annually updating the application criteria.

Membership: Represents a mix of public health preparedness professionals from local and tribal health agencies of all sizes. Those with direct experience with the PHEP program, workforce training and development, and quality improvement are also encouraged to apply. A preference for those willing to share their professional opinions, ask questions, and meet the time commitment.

Time Commitment: One one-hour virtual meeting per month. Two-year term with the option of staying on for an additional two-year term. Work outside monthly calls such as reviewing program/activity documents, assessing, and identifying model practices, and reviewing tools and guidelines will be required throughout the term. Additional calls may be scheduled depending on need, particularly during the PPHR criteria update period. Pending funding and availability, one in-person meeting will be held at the Preparedness Summit each year.

Workgroup participation is a benefit of active NACCHO membership. For a list of all NACCHO's Subject Matter Expert Advisory Workgroups, along with their descriptions and the time commitments required to serve as well as additional information on workgroups, click here to learn more. For specific questions about your NACCHO membership status and NACCHO's Advisory Workgroups, please email [email protected].

State Leads play a critical role as the primary contact between local health departments (LHDs) applying for recognition and NACCHO. State Leads become their state's subject matter experts (SMEs) on PPHR. They navigate the application process with applicants for the state they represent from start to finish and offer state-level guidance to applicants as they develop their application for submission. State Leads also serve as advocates for their LHDs requesting information and resources on behalf of their applicants and serve as stewards of all things PPHR for their respective states.

Benefits of Serving as a State Lead:

Make meaningful, direct impact on public health preparedness in your state.
Enhance leadership and project management skills.
Contribute to a nationally recognized public health preparedness program.
Help to advance local public health preparedness.

State Lead Commitment:

Attend one-hour, virtual orientation from NACCHO.
Facilitate monthly technical assistant calls and coordinate communication between NACCHO and LHD applicants.
Help evaluate and review application submissions from participating departments.
Provide guidance and support as well as serve as a resource on public health preparedness, offering insight, feedback, and mentorship to LHD applicants to PPHR.

Interested? Have questions? Email the PPHR team at [email protected].

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