Project Public Health Ready (PPHR)
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.
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.
Virginia
Alexandria Health District
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024
Tear Recognition Expires: 2029
Virginia
Amherst County Health Department
Central Virginia Health District: This jurisdiction is covered by a regionally recognized agency. The dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2010, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Appomattox County Health Department
Central Virginia Health District: This jurisdiction is covered by a regionally recognized agency. The dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2010, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Arlington County Public Health Division
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Virginia
Bedford County Health Department
Central Virginia Health District: This jurisdiction is covered by a regionally recognized agency. The dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2010, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Blue Ridge Health District
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Campbell County Health Department
Central Virginia Health District: This jurisdiction is covered by a regionally recognized agency. The dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2010, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Central Shenandoah Health District
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Cheasapeake Health District
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019
Year Recognition Expires: 2024
Virginia
Chesterfield Health District
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2025
Year Recognition Expires: 2030
Virginia
Chickahominy Health District
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Crater Health District
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Years Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Cumberland Plateau Health District
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Eastern Shore Health District
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Virginia
Fairfax County Health Department
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Hampton-Peninsula Health District
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Virginia
Henrico Health District
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019
Year Recognition Expires: 2024
Virginia
Lenowisco Health District
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Virginia
Lord Fairfax Health District
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Tear Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Loudoun Health District
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Lynchburg County Health Department
Central Virginia Health District: This jurisdiction is covered by a regionally recognized agency. The dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2010, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Mount Rogers Health District
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
New River Health District
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2025
Year Recognition Expires: 2030
Virginia
Norfolk City Health District
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Piedmont Health District
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Pittsylvania/Danville Health District
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Virginia
Portsmouth Health District
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016
Year Recognition Expires: 2022
Virginia
Prince William Health District
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Rappahannock Area Health District
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Virginia
Richmond City Health District
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015
Year Recognition Expires: 2022
Virginia
Roanoke/Alleghany Health District
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Southside Health District
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Virginia
Three Rivers Health District
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Virginia Beach Health District
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029
Virginia
West Piedmont Health District
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
Virginia
Western Tidewater Health District
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Alexandria Health District |
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024
Tear Recognition Expires: 2029 |
| Amherst County Health Department |
Central Virginia Health District: This jurisdiction is covered by a regionally recognized agency. The dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2010, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Appomattox County Health Department |
Central Virginia Health District: This jurisdiction is covered by a regionally recognized agency. The dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2010, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Arlington County Public Health Division |
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029 |
| Bedford County Health Department |
Central Virginia Health District: This jurisdiction is covered by a regionally recognized agency. The dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2010, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Blue Ridge Health District |
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Campbell County Health Department |
Central Virginia Health District: This jurisdiction is covered by a regionally recognized agency. The dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2010, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Central Shenandoah Health District |
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Cheasapeake Health District |
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019
Year Recognition Expires: 2024 |
| Chesterfield Health District |
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2025 Year Recognition Expires: 2030 |
| Chickahominy Health District |
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Crater Health District |
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Years Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Cumberland Plateau Health District |
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Eastern Shore Health District |
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029 |
| Fairfax County Health Department |
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Hampton-Peninsula Health District |
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2024 Year Recognition Expires: 2029 |
| Henrico Health District |
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019
Year Recognition Expires: 2024 |
| Lenowisco Health District |
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029 |
| Lord Fairfax Health District |
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Tear Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Loudoun Health District |
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Lynchburg County Health Department |
Central Virginia Health District: This jurisdiction is covered by a regionally recognized agency. The dates below apply to the regional agency.
Year Recognized: 2010, 2017, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Mount Rogers Health District |
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| New River Health District |
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2025 Year Recognition Expires: 2030 |
| Norfolk City Health District |
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Piedmont Health District |
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Pittsylvania/Danville Health District |
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2024 Year Recognition Expires: 2029 |
| Portsmouth Health District |
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016
Year Recognition Expires: 2022 |
| Prince William Health District |
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Rappahannock Area Health District |
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District |
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024 Year Recognition Expires: 2029 |
| Richmond City Health District |
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015
Year Recognition Expires: 2022 |
| Roanoke/Alleghany Health District |
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Southside Health District |
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2024 Year Recognition Expires: 2029 |
| Three Rivers Health District |
Year Recognized: 2011, 2016, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Virginia Beach Health District |
Year Recognized: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024
Year Recognition Expires: 2029 |
| West Piedmont Health District |
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
| Western Tidewater Health District |
Year Recognized: 2010, 2015, 2023
Year Recognition Expires: 2028 |
- Sign up for the Preparedness Brief Digest Monthly Newsletter
- Contact the PPHR team at [email protected]