Membership Advantages

Advocacy

NACCHO successfully works with federal officials to address the needs of local public health professionals. In recent years, NACCHO's leaders have testified before Congress on over 20 occasions, addressing critical issues such as the flu vaccine shortage, the smallpox vaccination plan, the Department of Homeland Security, and allocation of public health preparedness funding.

NACCHO members are informed of emerging issues and empowered to participate in public health advocacy through:

• E-mail Action Alerts on key public health issues.
• "Notes from Washington," a column published in each issue of Public Health Dispatch and available in the members' corner of our Web site.
• Our online Legislative Action Center.
• Press release templates and policy fact sheets, providing talking points for interacting with reporters.

Build Capacity

NACCHO develops tools, publications, and training programs with strong member involvement, ensuring a practice-relevant approach.

As a member, you have access to the following tools and many more at substantial savings—in many cases, free of charge.

• BtCreate (June 2003)—An interactive CD-ROM providing guidance on tabletop exercise design and development.
• BtPrep (March 2003)—A bioterrorism response guide including templates and checklists to assist you in constructing a comprehensive emergency response plan.
• BtTOOLBOX—NACCHO's Web-based clearinghouse of all-hazards preparedness resources.
• The Edge of America: Struggling for Health and Justice (August 2004)—Explore how rural communities survive the poverty, inadequate housing, ineffective immigration policy, and lack of access to transportation and health care that can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. This film serves as a catalyst for dialogue around issues that transcend their rural context, and comes with a discussion guide.
• The Public Health Agency Role in the Incident Command System (ICS) (August 2004)—This two-hour CD-ROM training with a student booklet uses public health examples to illustrate the role of public health agencies in incident management and emergency response activities.
• Achieving Healthier Communities through MAPP: A User's Handbook (August 2004)—Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) assists you with a community-wide strategic planning process for improving community health. Worksheets and tips from current MAPP users are included.

Do you ever wonder how other agencies have handled a public health challenge your community is facing? NACCHO members get advice and support from a powerful network of expert colleagues on a wide range of public health issues.

• Our interactive e-mail list services connect you to public health professionals with similar interests and concerns, such as immunization, emergency preparedness, rural health, and land use planning.
• Over 1,000 health officials and top decision-makers in the world of public health attend NACCHO's Annual Conference, which provides a fertile ground for education, discussion, and networking.

NACCHO Helps Your Bottom Line

We understand that local health departments must justify every expense. Joining NACCHO is a solid investment.

Our members receive:

• The opportunity to receive grants from NACCHO to assist in emergency preparedness, food safety, HIV/AIDS prevention, and other programmatic work taking place at the local level.
• The chance to be awarded a mini-grant associated with one of NACCHO's training programs (typically $500-$25,000) to help put new skills and knowledge to use.
• Eligibility for reduced registration fees and scholarships to attend NACCHO's annual conference, frequently cited as one of the most valuable opportunities for local public health professionals to come together and discuss the critical issues of the moment.
• Up to 50 percent off all NACCHO publications (in many cases, publications are free to NACCHO members).