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.

Program Overview

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.

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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

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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.

News and Updates

Awards & Recognition, Project Public Health Ready (PPHR)

Jefferson County Health Department (MO) Utilizes PPHR...

Learn how the Jefferson County Health Department used Project Public Health...

Nov 14, 2025 | Beth Hess

Jefferson County Health Department (MO) Utilizes PPHR...

Awards & Recognition, Project Public Health Ready (PPHR)

Austin Public Health Engages Full Preparedness Team to...

See how Austin Public Health engaged its full preparedness team to achieve...

Dec 05, 2025 | Beth Hess

Austin Public Health Engages Full Preparedness Team to...

Opportunity, Project Public Health Ready (PPHR)

PPHR National Reviewer Spotlight: Wally Burden

Meet Project Public Health Ready National Reviewer Wally Burden.

Jun 22, 2022 | Beth Hess

PPHR National Reviewer Spotlight: Wally Burden

Recognized Agencies

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Wisconsin

Cudahy Health Department

Wisconsin

Milwaukee/Waukesha County Consortium: This jurisdiction is covered by a regionally recognized agency, dates below apply to the regional agency.

Year Recognized: 2006, 2012