July marks the halfway point of 2026, making it a great time to reflect on your professional development goals. Whether you're working toward continuing education requirements, preparing for new responsibilities, or simply looking to expand your public health knowledge, there's plenty of time to invest in your growth before the end of the year.

Take a few minutes to ask yourself:

• Have I completed the trainings I planned to take this year?
  
• Are there new skills or emerging public health topics I'd like to explore?
  
• What knowledge will help me better serve my organization and community over the next six months?

To help you reach your learning goals, we invite you to participate in the 
Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center Summer Learning Challenge:

• Complete two self-paced courses in the Tulane PACE Learning Management System that align with your professional goals

• Explore one course bundle to deepen your knowledge in a specific public health topic

• Download your certificates of completion and share your accomplishments with your supervisor or professional network

Every course you complete is an investment in your professional development and strengthens our region's public health workforce. Whether you have 20 minutes or a few hours to dedicate to learning, each step brings you closer to achieving your education goals.

Have questions or need assistance with the Tulane PACE Learning Management System? Email us!

“Commit yourself to lifelong learning. The most valuable asset you’ll ever have is your mind and what you put into it.” — Brian Tracy

July is UV Safety Awareness Month, a time to highlight the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and remind everyone of the simple, effective steps we can all take to protect our skin and eyes from sun damage.

We've compiled a selection of resources to increase understanding of UV exposure and support practical actions for staying safe in the sun. These tools are designed to help public health professionals promote sun safety year-round.

The PH WINS 2027 Interest Form is now open and was sent out by the de Beaumont Foundation on June 17, 2026. Be sure to look for "2027 PH WINS Interest Form Launch" in your inbox (if you do not see it, check your spam folder).

Note: This form was sent to agencies that participated in PH WINS 2024 and will help the PH WINS team understand which agencies are interested in participating in the next survey cycle and gather early input to shape planning, outreach, and support for PH WINS 2027. The form takes about 5 minutes to complete. We encourage health departments to share their perspective.

Course Spotlight:

DSHS Foundations of Public Health

Course Description:



DSHS Foundations of Public Health is an introduction to the public health sciences, leading public health organizations, key terms, daily practices, history, and some of the U.S. top achievements.

This course was developed by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Learning Objectives:

• Define and differentiate health and public health

• Describe everyday tasks that are impacted by public health

• Identify and define five disciplines of public health

• Describe the three core functions of public health

• Recount the early history of public health and list some of the greatest findings



• Describe the 10 Great Public Health Achievements identified by the CDC from 2001-2010

Featured Course Bundle:

Texas Hurricane

Response Hub (TxHRH)

Course Bundle Description:

Explore the Texas Hurricane Response Hub (TxHRH), a collection of eight courses designed through a Texas coastal lens. This course bundle is tailored for public health professionals, first responders, emergency management and preparedness personnel, healthcare practitioners, and others involved in disaster response and recovery.

Drawing heavily from lessons learned during Hurricane Harvey, with additional insights from Hurricanes Ike, Rita, and Katrina, these trainings examine emergency preparedness and response through the experiences of those directly impacted. Participants will also gain perspectives from partner projects that documented responses to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, highlighting shared challenges and best practices across communities.

Trainings in this course bundle include:

• Emergency Management and Public Health: Working Together to Prepare for Disaster

• Public Health’s Role During a Hurricane

• Protecting Your Physical and Mental Health Before, During, and After a Disaster

• Resources Available During Mass Casualty and Mass Effect Incidents

• A Practical Guide to Addressing the Access and Functional Needs of Vulnerable Populations

• Communicating with the Public During a Hurricane or Other Disaster

• Maintaining Situational Awareness: Tools for Creating a Common Operating Picture (COP) Before, During, and After a Hurricane



• Public Health and Recovery: Roles, Responsibilities, and Expectations

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