Project Public Health Ready (PPHR)

PPHR Logo 2025 Color 300

Public health emergencies can strike without warning, and every moment counts in protecting our communities. Local health departments (LHDs) are on the frontlines—leading the charge in preparedness, supporting rapid responses, and driving recovery efforts to keep communities safe and resilient.

Results from the 2022 Preparedness Profile, a nationally representative survey to gather key insights and information about preparedness trends and emerging issues at LHDs, found that there was a significant increase in preparedness coordinators (or other equivalent positions) with less than two years of experience. Additionally:

  • 32% of LHDs reported training gaps in all-hazards planning; 27% reported gaps in exercise planning, and 16% reported training gaps in partnership development.
  • LHDs were more likely to report having good to fair relationships with key community partners such as faith-based, volunteer, and community-based organizations.
  • Up to 50% of LHDs noted that while they were very concerned about common public health emergencies such as medical supply chain interruptions and extreme weather events only 13% felt very prepared for them.

NACCHO's Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) supports local health departments in overcoming these challenges. This recognition program offers LHDs a systematic approach to evaluate their capacity and capability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. 

Since 2004, over 500 departments have earned recognition and built training and preparedness capacities using a continuous quality improvement model. 
 

PPHR is a nationally recognized, criteria-based training and recognition program developed by the National Association of County and City Health Officials in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is designed to help local health departments (LHDs) develop core public health and emergency preparedness competencies.

How PPHR Builds Local Health Department Capacity 

This robust 18-month program offers a structured, purposeful approach to strengthening training and preparedness capacity through a model of continuous quality improvement. Participating health departments develop or update their comprehensive, all-hazards response plan to align with the highest national standards, including CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) capabilities and the Public Health Accreditation Board’s (PHAB) Standards and Measures. 

How PPHR Strengthens the Governmental Public Health System 

PPHR aims to fully integrate LHDs into the broader preparedness and response community. It fosters collaboration across internal teams and with local, state, federal, and community response partners to strengthen coordination and planning. Health departments that successfully complete the program earn PPHR recognition, valid for five years. 
 

Public Health Preparedness

Potential Applicants

Learn more about applying for PPHR recognition.

Public Health Preparedness

Potential Applicants

Public Health Preparedness

Current Applicants

Learn more about the process and next steps

Public Health Preparedness

Current Applicants

Public Health Preparedness

Get Involved

Learn about ways to get involved with PPHR.

Public Health Preparedness

Get Involved

Program Goals

Starting with the 2026 PPHR cycle, the application and process has been revised to reflect the evolving public health landscape. Through PPHR recognition, health departments work toward achieving the following goals:

  • Goal 1: Engage Whole Community
  • Goal 2: Plan for All-Hazards Preparedness
  • Goal 3: Maintain Plans and Procedures for Public Health Threats
  • Goal 4: Maintain Plans and Procedures for Recovery
  • Goal 5: Develop Workforce Capacity
  • Goal 6: Conduct Quality Improvement

New application cycle materials are available in September of every year.

PPHR's Vision 

Local health departments are fully prepared and seamlessly integrated into the emergency response system to protect and promote public health during all emergencies.

PPHR's Mission 

To strengthen the nation’s public health preparedness infrastructure by building the capacity and capability of local health departments—through collaboration with state partners—to plan, train, and exercise using a sustainable, continuous improvement model.

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Louisiana

Acadia Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Avoyelles Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023

Year Recognition Expires: 2028

Louisiana

Caldwell Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Catahoula Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023

Year Recognition Expires: 2028

Louisiana

Concordia Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023

Year Recognition Expires: 2028

Louisiana

East Caroll Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Evangeline Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Franklin Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Grant Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023

Year Recognition Expires: 2028

Louisiana

Iberia Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Jackson Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Jefferson Parish Health Unit - Marrero

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 1: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023

Year Recognition Expires: 2028

Louisiana

Jefferson Parish Health Unit - Metairie

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 1: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023

Year Recognition Expires: 2028

Louisiana

LaSalle Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023

Year Recognition Expires: 2028

Louisiana

Lafayette Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Lincoln Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Madison Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Morehouse Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

New Orleans Health Department

Year Recognized: 2015

Year Recognition Expires: 2021

Louisiana

Ouachita Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Plaquemines Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 1: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023

Year Recognition Expires: 2028

Louisiana

Rapides Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023

Year Recognition Expires: 2028

Louisiana

Richland Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

St. Bernard Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 1: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023

Year Recognition Expires: 2028

Louisiana

St. Landry Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

St. Martin Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Tensas Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Union Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Vermilion Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Vernon Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023

Year Recognition Expires: 2028

Louisiana

West Caroll Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024

Year Recognition Expires: 2029

Louisiana

Winn Parish Health Unit

Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023

Year Recognition Expires: 2028

Name Details
Acadia Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Avoyelles Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Caldwell Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Catahoula Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Concordia Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
East Caroll Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Evangeline Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Franklin Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Grant Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Iberia Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Jackson Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Jefferson Parish Health Unit - Marrero
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 1: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Jefferson Parish Health Unit - Metairie
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 1: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
LaSalle Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Lafayette Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Lincoln Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Madison Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Morehouse Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
New Orleans Health Department
Year Recognized: 2015
Year Recognition Expires: 2021
Ouachita Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Plaquemines Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 1: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Rapides Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Richland Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
St. Bernard Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 1: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
St. Landry Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
St. Martin Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Tensas Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Union Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Vermilion Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 4: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Vernon Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
West Caroll Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 8: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Winn Parish Health Unit
Louisiana Office of Public Health - Region 6: This jurisdiction is covered by covered by a regionally recognized agency. Dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2012, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
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