NACCHO Updates:

Project Public Health Ready (PPHR)
Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) is a criteria-based training and recognition program created by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help local health departments (LHDs) develop core public health, emergency preparedness competencies. An intensive 12-18 month program provides LHDs the structure to build training and preparedness capacity using a continuous quality improvement model.

PPHR criteria is updated regularly to align with federal guidelines and national initiatives, including:
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• ASPR Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) metrics.
• CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capabilities
• Public Health Accreditation Board’s (PHAB) Standards and Measures
• FEMA’s Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) 
• CDC’s Operational Readiness Review (ORR) Tool

The PPHR program aims to help local emergency preparedness agencies fully integrate into the response community and prepare for any public health emergency. The PPHR program offers LHDs an opportunity to (1) build partnerships with local, state, and federal leaders, community response partners, and other stakeholders; and (2) facilitate collaboration and teambuilding across the entire health department. At the end of the program, LHDs will have a written comprehensive all-hazards response plan that aligns with the highest national and federal standards. Those who successfully complete the program are PPHR recognized for five years.

Since 2004, more than 525 LHDs have been recognized as meeting all the PPHR requirements individually or working collaboratively as a region, including 12 in Michigan: Allegan County Health Department, Barry Eaton District Health Department, Berrien County Health Department, Branch-Hillsdale St. Joseph Community Health Agency, Calhoun County Public Health Department, Ionia County Health Department, Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department, Kent County Health Department, Macomb County Health Department, Oakland County Health Division, Ottawa County Department of Public Health, and Van Buren District Health Department.

Due to a high-volume of 2023 re-recognition applications, first-time applicants may apply during the 2024 cycle. You can learn more about the application process through the PPHR Process Guide

Additional tools related to the PPHR can also be found through NACCHO's Toolbox. NACCHO’s Toolbox is a free, online collection of many public health tools and resources that have been created and shared by members of the public health community. Tools related to the PPHR application can be searched by simply choosing ‘PPHR toolkits’ in the drop-down box.
PPHR FAQ