The Upper Midwest Center for Public Health Preparedness and Response (UMCPHPR) is a collaborative initiative designed to strengthen public health emergency preparedness and response across the six-state U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Region 5 area: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, including Tribal communities within these states.

UMCPHPR is one of 10 Regional Centers funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Readiness and Response. As part of a national initiative, the Regional Centers form a network to enhance communities’ ability to prepare for and respond to public health threats by advancing the development, implementation, and uptake of evidence-based strategies and interventions (EBSIs).

Led by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in partnership with the University of Michigan School of Public Health, UMCPHPR works in partnership with academic institutions, state and local public health agencies, Tribal organizations, and community stakeholders throughout Region 5. Together, we aim to increase the use of evidence-based strategies and interventions that strengthen agency capabilities, foster cross-sector collaboration, and build community resilience.

UMCPHPR organizes its work around three primary focus areas, co-identified through a year-long planning process with public health practitioners, community members, and response partners across the region:

• Communications
• Partnerships and Coordination
• Workforce Development