HCPHP is part of a national network of Centers for Public Health Preparedness (CPHPs) established through joint collaboration of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Association of Schools of Public Health.  The CPHP program was initiated in 2000 to strengthen terrorism and emergency preparedness by linking academic expertise to state and local health agency needs. This unique program brings together fifty-two community colleges, colleges, and universities with a common focus on public health preparedness to establish a national network of education and training resources.  The five year CPHP cooperative agreement (2004-2009) goals consist of the following:

1. Strengthen public health workforce readiness through implementation of programs for life long learning
2. Strengthen capacity at State and local levels for terrorism preparedness and emergency public health response
3. Develop a network of academic-based programs contributing to national terrorism preparedness and emergency response by sharing expertise and resources across State and local jurisdictions

Core HCPHP partners include Saint Louis University School of Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita, Kentucky University College of Public Health, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kentucky Department of Public Health.