Applications for NACCHO’s Annual Awards are Now Open!

Help us recognize the public health leaders, advocates, and champions making a lasting impact in communities across the nation. Learn more about eligibility requirements and access applications for the Maurice “Mo” Mullet Lifetime of Service Award, the National Advocate of the Year Award, and the National Champion of Local Governmental Public Health Award at NACCHO Awards. Winners will be honored at NACCHO360 and celebrated for their contributions to advancing local public health. The application deadline is December 31, 2026. Don't miss this opportunity to spotlight the individuals and organizations driving positive change in local public health!

NACCHO Model Practices Applications are Now Open!

Showcase your local health department’s innovative work through NACCHO’s Model Practices Program. The program recognizes outstanding and replicable public health practices that improve community health outcomes and shares them nationally through the Model Practices Database. Selected practices receive national recognition and are celebrated annually at NACCHO360. Submit your practice through the application portal by December 31, 2026. Share your success, inspire your peers, and help advance public health practice nationwide!

Now Accepting Abstracts: 2027 Preparedness Summit

The call for abstracts for the 2027 Preparedness Summit, to be held April 19-21, in Atlanta, GA, is officially open! The theme for the 2027 conference, “Preparing for What’s Next: Building Bridges for a More Connected Future,” focuses on how the preparedness ecosystem can continue to adapt, align, and sustain readiness during a period of ongoing change while maintaining the foundational capabilities that support readiness and response. The abstract submission period is open through October 27, 2026 (11:59 PM ET). Visit the Prep Summit website to learn more about the conference.

NEW! Funding Opportunity to Prepare for Environmental Health Events Through Cross-Sector Collaboration with Emergency Management and Response Organizations

NACCHO will issue three awards totaling $20,000 each to local health departments selected to identify, initiate, or strengthen partnerships with emergency preparedness organizations. Participating local health departments will assess their own strengths and priorities, as well as those of prospective partners, to bolster relationships and coordination that support and sustain preparedness, response, and related policy efforts around environmental health events. This funding opportunity is open to all local health departments. Learn more and apply by October 26, 2026, 11.59 AM ET. Questions about this RFA can be directed to PHLaw@naccho.org.

NEW! Funding Opportunity to Support Local Community Health Adaptation Initiatives Against Extreme Weather Events:

NACCHO intends to award up to three local organizations for up to $24,000 each to help turn extreme weather and health concerns into practical community adaptation projects. Projects may involve preparing communities for extreme weather through targeted outreach, staff training, incorporating adaptation planning into land use, housing, or transportation decisions, and more. Small and rural health departments will be given preference in this application process. Learn more and apply by November 16, 2026, 11:59 PM PT. NACCHO and CDC will also host an optional informational webinar for interested applicants on October 20 from 2:00-2:30 PM ET. Questions about this RFA can be directed to Aalsadi@naccho.org.

Request for Proposals: Resilient, Innovative, Safe, and Empowered Communities (RISE) Project

In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NACCHO is excited to announce the Resilient, Innovative, Safe, and Empowered (RISE) Communities funding opportunity. RISE will provide up to $85,000 each to 8 sites to strengthen youth and community violence prevention efforts. The support focuses on collaborative work across organizations and sectors rather than the internal operations or development of a single organization.

Eligible applicants include community-based organizations, local health departments, local government agencies, and other entities working collaboratively on youth and community violence prevention at the local level. Read the full Request for Proposals (RFP).

Register for the optional informational webinar on October 14 at 2:00 PM ET. Submit your application via NACCHO’s online portal by November 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Questions? Contact the Injury and Violence Prevention Team at ivp@naccho.org with the subject line “RISE RFP Question.” 

Request for Proposals: Reimagining Health and Public Safety Overdose Initiatives (RHAPSODI) Project

With support from the CDC, NACCHO is pleased to offer a funding opportunity to support overdose prevention programs at the intersection of public health and public safety. Through this funding opportunity, NACCHO will award up to twenty (20) applicants in different stages of their project development. Project proposals must use public health approaches that support people at high risk of overdose within or at risk of contact with the criminal justice system, are driven by local need, and are led by or partner with community-based organizations.

NACCHO will award up to twenty (20) applicants in different stages of their project development. Organizations are invited to apply to one of the following project tracks:

• Planning Award: Up to $50,000 each for applicants to begin planning a project that prevents overdose at the intersection of public health and public safety.
• Implementation Award: Up to $125,000 each for applicants ready to implement project activities with relevant partners engaged.

For full details about the funding opportunity, please review the Request for Proposals. Applications must be submitted using NACCHO's online portal no later than October 26, 2026 by 5:00 pm ET. Applicants may post individual questions to NACCHO at any point during the application process by emailing the Injury and Violence Prevention Team at IVP@naccho.org with the subject line “RHAPSODI RFP Question”.

Apply to Join NACCHO’s Strengthening Breastfeeding Initiatives Community of Practice (CoP) for LHDs (2026-2027)

Registration is now open for the third cohort of NACCHO’s Strengthening Breastfeeding Initiatives Community of Practice (CoP) for LHDs! NACCHO will support the advancement of breastfeeding initiatives at local health departments (LHDs) by providing technical assistance, resources, and access to national experts. Through the CoP, LHD representatives will share best practices, discuss community contexts, innovative solutions, and goals for improving breastfeeding support across the United States.  

Application Deadline: Wednesday, October 14, 2026 before 11:59pm PST

Application: NACCHO's Strengthening Breastfeeding Initiatives Community of Practice for LHDs (2026-2027) For questions, please email breastfeeding@naccho.org. 

Reminder: The Next Phase of PHIG: What Local Health Departments Need to Know | Oct. 14 | 3 PM

NACCHO will host a webinar on October 14 at 3:00 pm ET on what local health departments (LHDs) need to know about the next phase of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG).

The first grant period runs from December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2027. Most LHDs are not direct recipients. Support generally reaches LHDs through state subawards, shared services, training, or data system investments.

NACCHO's webinar will review the current structure of the grant, including Component A funding to health departments, the three strategies covering workforce, foundational capabilities, and data modernization and how PHIG is expected to change in the next grant period. Register Here

The 2027 Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) Cycle is now open. Local, regional, and tribal health departments interested in strengthening their preparedness capabilities and earning national recognition are invited to join by filling out an Intent to Apply Form by October 31. Project Public Health Ready is a national recognition program that helps health departments at the local level rigorously assess and strengthen their ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. The 2027 Cycle continues the important updates introduced in the previous cycle, including the use of the Initial Goals and Measures Application for all applicants—first-time applicants, applicants with expired recognition, and applicants with current recognition. Click here to learn more about applying for PPHR recognition.

Share NACCHO’s Student Section Program with undergraduate and graduate students and give them a direct path to connect with the field, strengthen their knowledge, and engage with a national network of emerging local public health professionals. 

Why Join the Student Section? Students can network with peers and professionals; access educational resources, trainings, and webinars; learn about local, state, and national public health work; take part in student-driven initiatives; connect through NACCHO’s Career Center; and participate in NACCHO conferences. Discounted membership rates are available now through December 31st for Individual Student or School of Public Health Membership. Join here

With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NACCHO is offering local health departments resources to pilot evidence-based strategies that improve vaccine receptivity and uptake and strengthen adherence to outbreak mitigation measures in high-risk communities. NACCHO will award up to eight selected local health departments $40,000 each. Full details and application instructions are available in the Request for Applications (RFA).

Applications are due by Friday, October 9, 2026. Questions about the RFA or application process may be directed to NACCHO’s Immunization Program at immunization@naccho.org.

NACCHO’s Rural Overdose Prevention and Response Community of Practice is for local health department representatives who support rural communities in their overdose prevention and response efforts. Learn more and apply. Applications are due by 5:00 PM ET on Friday, October 9.

NACCHO is launching a Management Essentials Community of Practice (CoP) exclusively for local health department managers. The CoP will help participants strengthen essential management skills for addressing complex, real-world public health issues through live virtual peer learning and networking sessions and an online community for ongoing discussion and the exchange of resources and best and promising practices. Interested managers should complete the interest form by Friday, October 9. The CoP will begin with a live virtual session on Thursday, November 5, at 1:00 PM ET. Additional information about the CoP and NACCHO’s Management Essentials program is available on NACCHO’s website.

- 

Explore Local Health Data with City Health Dashboard

NACCHO affiliate partner City Health Dashboard, a free online resource from NYU Grossman School of Medicine, provides data on more than 45 measures of health and the drivers of health for over 1,200 U.S. cities. Local health departments can use the platform's maps, data visualizations, and indicators to better understand community health needs and support data-informed decision-making.