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Below is a Council on Linkages Update for March 2026. Please feel free to share these opportunities in your organization’s newsletter or other communications.

Join the Council on Linkages’ March 26th Meeting

Join the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice (Council on Linkages) for its first meeting of the year on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 2-4pm EDT. This meeting will highlight ongoing efforts to rebuild and strengthen the public health workforce, featuring a presentation from the Public Health Accreditation Board on work to refresh the Standards & Measures. Workforce development updates from Council member organizations during this meeting include the National Board of Public Health Examiners and the National Association of County & City Health Officials. Hear the latest on Council on Linkages initiatives, including the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals and Academic Health Department Learning Community, and join an open discussion of Council on Linkages priorities to help shape future activities. Explore the meeting agenda and register.

New Webinar Recording Available — Workforce Planning, Incorporating Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals

Looking for new strategies to assess and develop the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals at your agency? Watch the recording of a recent webinar hosted by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. The webinar featured speakers from the Public Health Foundation (PHF), Kentucky Department of Public Health, New York State Department of Health, and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services as they shared their experiences and expertise around workforce planning and how they incorporated public health core competencies into those plans and relevant trainings. Access the recording via the TRAIN Learning Network, Course #1135592.

Save the Date: 2026 Public Health Learning Forum 

November 16-19, 2026

The Public Health Foundation (PHF) is pleased to announce the 2026 Public Health Learning Forum, taking place November 16-19, 2026. This year’s virtual event will once again bring together public health professionals from across the country to share practical ideas, helpful tools, and real‑world approaches for strengthening the governmental public health workforce. Building on the success of the 2025 Public Health Learning Forum, the 2026 event will focus on what’s working, what’s new, and what’s ahead for workforce development, quality improvement, and performance management. Stay tuned for more details on registration, session information, and speakers. Mark your calendar and plan to join us this fall!

Upcoming PHF Virtual Workshops on Performance Management and Quality Improvement

In response to requests from the public health workforce, the Public Health Foundation (PHF) is offering two virtual workshops designed to help individuals strengthen their skills in performance management and quality improvement. These interactive live sessions will provide public health professionals with practical tools, strategies, and hands on learning:

• Using Performance Management in Public Health | April 22 & 29, 2026 from 1-4pm EDT
• Using Quality Improvement in Public Health | June 3 & 10, 2026 from 1-4pm EDT 

Workshops include two 3-hour live sessions with expert instruction, a workshop-specific book, presentation slides, and a certificate of completion. View pricing options and reserve your spot today.

PHF’s New AI in Public Health Webpage

Explore the Public Health Foundation’s (PHF’s) new AI in Public Health webpage to find articles, blogs, and training designed to strengthen the public health workforce’s safe and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) by developing the skills needed for a modern, practice-ready workforce. PHF supports organizations in adopting AI thoughtfully and strategically through technical assistance, training, and practical resources that promote safe and impactful implementation. Learn more about PHF’s AI Services.

Call for Abstracts for APHA 2026 and the APLPH Caucus

The call for abstracts for the American Public Health Association’s (APHA’s) 2026 Annual Meeting is open through March 31, 2026. The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), in partnership with the Public Health Accreditation Board and the Public Health Foundation (PHF), invites submission of abstracts for sessions sponsored by the Academic and Practice Linkages in Public Health (APLPH) Caucus. The Caucus provides a forum to explore and discuss innovative approaches and effective interventions that support practice, education, and applied research by building bridges between academia and practice. Learn more and submit your abstract.

Interested in reviewing abstracts for the APLPH Caucus? Fill out the Reviewer Submission Form by March 31, 2026. To be eligible, you must have expertise related to at least one of the 2026 APLPH Caucus topics. For questions related to the APLPH Caucus, please contact Kaitlin Tager, ASPPH Director of Program Administration, at ktager@aspph.org