email-hero-slicing_1777239.jpg
March 2023
Preparedness Brief Digest
NACCHO Updates and Feature Articles
 
Take Part in the 2023 Preparedness Summit VirtuallyPrep Summit 2023
While we have reached in-person conference capacity, it’s not too late to join the 2023 Preparedness Summit virtually! In addition to live-streamed plenaries and town halls, virtual registrants can view over 40 live-streamed educational sessions and over a dozen on-demand sessions, April 24-27. Registrants also enjoy access to virtual content for an additional 90 days post-conference. Don’t miss this opportunity to revisit pressing issues in preparedness and share resources, shape policies, and build skills to mitigate a variety of threats. Learn more and register

Request for Chemical Preparedness Materials
NACCHO, in partnership with the CDC, is gathering Chemical Response materials and training resources developed by local health departments or in collaboration with other community partnerships. This information will help inform the future of chemical emergency preparedness and help us improve existing resources. Local health departments are invited to share examples of chemical preparedness resources. Learn more.

NACCHO Recognizes Eight Local Health Departments for Emergency Preparedness Capabilities through PPHRPPHR
NACCHO is pleased to announce that eight agencies from across the United States have been recognized by NACCHO’s Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) for their ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. These eight agencies received PPHR re-recognition status. Learn more about the program and agencies recognized.  

NACCHO Announces More Than $1.2 Million in Medical Reserve Corps Operational Readiness Awards
NACCHO is pleased to announce the 2023 Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Operational Readiness Awards (ORA). These awards, made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response’s Medical Reserve Corps Program Office, will build the operational readiness capabilities of MRC units to meet the emergency preparedness and response needs of local, regional, and statewide stakeholders. The awards, totaling $1.255 million, will support 146 units to build MRC response capabilities (Tier 1) or strengthen MRC response capabilities (Tier 2). Learn more.MRC

Local Nonprofits as Medical Reserve Corps Housing Organizations
According to the most recent Network Profile of the Medical Reserve Corps, more than half (64%) of units are housed within their local health department. Another 16% are housed within their state health department or with emergency management agencies. This month we’re highlighting two units that grew out of other types of community partnership.
Preparedness News, Tools and Resources 
 
ASPR Releases Health Care and Public Health Sector Cybersecurity Framework Guide 
cyber securityOn March 8, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) released a new framework implementation guide to help health care and public health sector organizations implement the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity Framework. The guide is intended to help health organizations become better equipped to assess and improve cybersecurity by understanding the Cybersecurity Framework, assessing current cybersecurity posture, identifying gaps in programs and workforce, and identifying practices to help address recommended outcomes. These Cybersecurity Standards are voluntary and offer advice on limiting risk by controlling access to critical systems, monitoring supply chains, and being aware of emerging threats. 

 
FEMA Seeks Input on National Disaster Resilience Guidance
FEMA is spearheading an effort to create national disaster resilience guidance and resources for the whole community to help everyone understand and fulfill their critical roles related to increasing national resilience. FEMA will gather input from across the whole community to aid in the development of guidance and resources by hosting six 60-minute listening sessions in April, May and June. Learn more about the initiative and how to get involved.

 
Ready or Not 2023: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
emergency responseThe new report, Ready or Not 2023: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism, released by Trust for America’s Health, measures states’ readiness to respond to a spectrum of health emergencies and to provide ongoing public health services. The report gives federal and state health officials and policymakers actionable data and recommends policies to improve the nation’s emergency preparedness at a time when health emergencies are increasing. The report’s findings showed both areas of strength within the nation’s public health system and areas that need attention. Learn more.
 
New Listserv for CDC Response All-State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial (STLT) Update Calls
CDC Response All-State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial (STLT) Update Calls are meant to provide STLT partners with the latest information on CDC emergency response activities and U.S. preparedness efforts. Currently, these calls primarily focus on COVID-19 and mpox activities. Invitees include STLT preparedness directors, epidemiologists, health officials, immunization program directors, and public health laboratory directors, as well as nongovernmental partners. Going forward, CDC will send messages pertaining to these calls through a listserv. To receive future notifications regarding CDC emergency response STLT update calls you must subscribe to the CDCL-STLT-RESPONSE-UPDATES listserv. See instructions on how to subscribe.
 
New Climate Action Toolkit for Local Health Departments
climateAre you one of the millions of Americans who are growing more concerned about climate change? As we all witness and experience impacts to our health, livelihoods, and communities, we are increasingly looking for guidance on solutions from leaders in our daily lives, including local health professionals like you. That is why Climate for Health and the NACCHO are offering targeted climate-focused resources including our popular, now on-demand, ambassador training that will equip you with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and resources to speak and act confidently on climate change and solutions. With this toolkit, you will be able to engage your community, the public, and policymakers to inspire climate solutions that help protect our families and communities now, and ensure a prosperous, just, and secure future. The ambassador training qualifies for three continuing education units, so use the code NACCHOCfHAmbassador to start your climate action journey today!
 
Increasing Rural Resilience to Climate Change: A Resource Roundup for Health Departments
About one in five people in the United States live in rural areas, yet 97% of land area is classified as rural, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Against the backdrop of a unique set of challenges, NACCHO's Climate Change Workgroup explored the role of rural local health departments (LHDs) in addressing the health impacts of one of the most pressing issues of our time – climate change. Increasing rural resilience to climate change may be in everyone's interest, as urban areas that depend on goods and services from rural areas will undoubtedly be impacted. Rural LHDs can start taking realistic steps toward addressing this issue using a new resource roundup from NACCHO workgroup members.
In the News 
Upcoming Events
April 4, 12:00 PM ET
 

Public Health Capacity Building and Accreditation Webinar: PHAB Standards & Measures for Emergency Preparedness
A Webinar on plans and processes for Tribal public health department emergency preparedness and response. 
April 13, 3:00-4:30 PM ET
 
 
Take Advantage of Early-Bird Rates for NACCHO 360
NACCHO260Early-bird registration rates are available through April 28 for the 2023 NACCHO360 conference. To be held July 10-13, in Denver and virtually, this year’s conference theme, “Elevating Public Health Practice for Today and Tomorrow,” will explore how the local public health workforce and its stakeholders can move forward in the midst of an ongoing crisis while implementing traditional and innovative approaches to restructure a system built to protect the health of communities nationwide. NACCHO members save even more! Learn more and register.
Opportunities
Response Requested: Impact of Shortages of Antiviral Medications for Treatment of Influenza
In collaboration with NACCHO, the Influenza Division at CDC is asking for your participation in a short survey (estimated 5 minutes) to describe the impact of shortages of antiviral medications for treatment of influenza in the U.S. this season. The goal of this short survey is to describe the occurrence and understand the impact of any local shortages of antiviral medications for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza, and if influenza vaccination was promoted due to antiviral shortages during the 2022-2023 season.

Up to $50 Million Available to States and Jurisdictions for Medical Reserve Corps
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response’s (ASPR) Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program announced that up to $50 million in American Rescue Plan funding is available to states, territories, tribes, public/private partnerships, and other public entities to expand the work of the network. MRC will accept applications for the State, Territory and Tribal Nations, Representative Organizations for Next Generation (MRC-STTRONG) Awards through April 30, 2023. Jurisdictions can use MRC-STTRONG grant funding to expand, sustain, and improve the MRC network, with a particular focus on health emergency preparedness, response, and health equity needs. The grants are competitive, and the MRC national office anticipates being able to fund up to 70 projects through MRC-STTRONG. Learn more

SNS Seeks New Public Health Advisors
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is recruiting three public health advisors for the new Office of State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Preparedness (OSTLTP) within the Office of Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Application deadline April 10.

National Drinking Water Advisory Council Nominations
NACCHO is coordinating efforts to submit nominations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC). According to this Federal Register, the NDWAC—which includes members associated with small, rural public water systems—provides “independent advice, consultation, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on matters relating to activities, functions, policies, and regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act.” The Council is seeking nominations of qualified state and local agencies concerned with water hygiene and public water supply, alongside other nominees, to be considered for three-year appointments. The Council meets annually in person or virtually with the likelihood of additional meetings during the year and may be asked to participate in ad hoc working groups to develop policy recommendations, advice letters, and reports relevant to the Council. Interested NACCHO members can submit a resume, one-page statement describing interest in serving the Council, and a short biography describing the qualifications of the nominee no later than Monday, April 10, to wash@naccho.org. Please include name, current business address or other mailing address, email address, and daytime telephone number in your nomination. Questions can be directed to the same email.

Accepting Nominations: Milton and Ruth Roemer Prize
The American Public Health Association is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Milton and Ruth Roemer Prize for Creative Local Public Health Work. This award is given to a health officer of a county, city or other unit of local government, in recognition for outstanding creative and innovative public health work. The nomination deadline is April 20 by 5:00 PM ET. 

Poster Showcase Call for Speakers for the IAEM Annual Conference
IAEM is seeking submissions for the Poster Showcase taking place at the IAEM 71st Annual Conference & EMEX in Long Beach, California, Nov. 3-9, 2023. This information-sharing event is open for practitioners, academics, and students. Read the Poster Showcase Guidance for step-by-step instructions on how to submit and a list of important dates. The submission deadline is Friday, April 21.

The Preparedness Brief blog provides updates and information from NACCHO's public health preparedness portfolio, which includes a range of projects that influence preparedness policy with federal decision makers and develop practical solutions that help local health departments build resilient communities. Check it out for the latest news, resources, tools, and events that help build healthy and resilient communities. To write a guest blog post or submit content for consideration, email preparedness@naccho.org.
Stay Connected with NACCHO
Events Calendar
Virtual Communities
Contact the Membership Team
NACCHO Logo
Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
YouTube
Instagram
Public Health logo
The mission of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is to improve the health of communities by strengthening and advocating for local health departments.
 
 
1201 Eye Street, NW, 4th Floor Washington, DC 20005

1201 Eye Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005