Texas Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) is a partnership program between the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The project is a competency-based training and recognition program that assesses preparedness and assists local health departments (LHDs), or groups of LHDs collaborating as a region, to respond to emergencies. The PPHR criteria are nationally recognized standards for local public health preparedness.

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

State Supported Model

Texas practices the state-supported model of PPHR. This means that the PPHR application process for all LHDs within Texas is coordinated by DSHS.

Texas PPHR Annual Timeline

• DSHS recruits LHDs annually to participate in PPHR
• Recruitment begins in spring & summer of each year
• “Intent to Apply” & 1^st fee of $2,500 deadline is October 31st of each year
• LHDs work on their PPHR documentation and application from November through August
• LHD applications go through in-state peer reviews during May through June 
• Complete application & 2^nd fee of $2,500 is due to NACCHO for national peer reviews in August

PPHR Recognized LHDs in Texas

DSHS is proud to say that the following LHDs have successfully met the PPHR nationally recognized standards for local public health preparedness.

• Austin Public Health 2019 & 2024
• City of Amarillo Public Health Department 2024
• City of El Paso Department of Public Health 2016 & 2022
• City of Houston 2006
• City of Laredo Health Department 2017
• Denton County Public Health 2018 & 2024
• Fort Bend County Health Department 2016
• Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services 2015 & 2023
• Hidalgo County Health Department 2017 & 2023
• Lubbock Public Health 2019 & 2024
• Tarrant County Public Health Department 2004
• Williamson County and Cities Health District 2017 and 2023

The Texas PPHR State Coordination Team (SCT) is composed of a state lead and support members. The state lead coordinates the overall implementation of PPHR and facilitates communications between LHDs and NACCHO.

Learn More about the recognition and re-recognition process.

For questions about applying for PPHR recognition in Texas, please contact the PPHR State Lead at texaspphr@dshs.texas.gov