Volume 03 | August 2019
Aligning Action for Health
As the coordinating body of the LA-HRH , the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) is building new collaborations with organizations of all sizes to coordinate resources and build a larger, more inclusive emergency preparedness network.

We have had several opportunities since the start of this project to collaborate with partners that are new to LPHI and LA-HRH. They include:

  • an out-of-state provider offering the use of a mobile medical unit that can be transported to Louisiana following a disaster;
  • the opportunity to host a human trafficking training for partners within the next few months; and
  • discussions with a volunteer harm reduction group about resources that are needed to better support vulnerable populations before, during, and after a natural disaster.

We appreciate your assistance in helping cultivate these important organic connections. This work would not be possible without your help and interest in growing this network.

Please continue to forward this e-blast to colleagues and organizations who might find it beneficial. Those who did not receive the e-blast directly can sign-up to receive it by clicking the button below.
Training Information
LPHI utilizes Tulane's Learning Management System (LMS) to provide free online hurricane, emergency, and public health preparedness-related courses. TRAIN Learning Network is another platform that offers courses for public health, healthcare, behavioral health, preparedness, and other health professionals.

Those interested in taking LMS trainings can fill out and submit the new user form here . Please note that new accounts may take up to one business day (24 hours) for approval. Once an account has been set up, users have access to the full library of trainings. For information on TRAIN courses, click here .

Courses listed below are through LMS, unless otherwise noted, and include but are not limited to:


Additional courses are being created and will be announced as they become available. More frequent updates are available via the LA-HRH Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Technical Assistance
Do you or your organization need training, resources, or educational tools related to hurricane preparedness and/or disaster response? The LA-HRH can help meet your needs. 

  • Simple requests are usually fulfilled by email
  • Requests that need more discussion will be handled by phone
  • If we don’t have the tools to answer your request, we will connect you to those that can
  • We can also provide relevant training and educational opportunities

Topics addressed include surveillance tools and training; disaster epidemiology; air safety; water safety; vector control; mold and chemical hazards; carbon monoxide; responder safety; trauma and wellness support; protective equipment and electrical safety; clean-up procedures; and communication/marketing needs.
Partner Spotlight: Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force
The Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force is a coalition of state, civil society, and citizen organizers committed to the prevention of human trafficking in the Greater New Orleans area through education, outreach, collaboration, and research.

The group's primary goal is to collaborate in sharing and disseminating information, contacts, and protocols related to the existence, prevention, and response to human trafficking in and around New Orleans.

Human trafficking often increases after a natural disaster. Disasters can cause people to lose their jobs, homes, livelihoods, communities, support systems, and stability. Desperation caused by destruction can force people to take offers that they wouldn't usually take: jobs that seem too good to be true, engaging in work because they feel they have no other choice, working for employers who seem untrustworthy, or taking opportunities that seem potentially dangerous or isolating. Traffickers take advantage of people who are trying to survive in the aftermath of disaster.

First responders are in a unique role to prevent and respond to human trafficking. To help first responders learn more about this important issue, the Task Force offers education and awareness resources, in addition to trainings. LPHI is currently working with the Task Force to offer one of these trainings to LA-HRH partners. Details will be shared once they have been finalized.
National Network of Public Health Institutes News
The National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) releases a quarterly newsletter called the The Hub Speaks . The newsletter includes articles about the lingering effects of the 2017 hurricanes, details about the Hurricane Response Hub (HRH) technical assistance centers, and links to training related to hurricane-related health recovery.

The next NNPHI HRH newsletter will go out in September. Sign up to get it delivered directly to your inbox.
Funding for this project has been provided to the NNPHI through a Cooperative Agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC – NU1ROT000004-01-00). NNPHI is collaborating with the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) and the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health on this project.

The LPHI, founded in 1997, is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit and public health institute that translates evidence into strategy to optimize health ecosystems. Our work focuses on uncovering complementary connections across sectors to combine the social, economic, and human capital needed to align action for health. We champion health for people, within systems, and throughout communities because we envision a world where everyone has the opportunity to be healthy. For more information, visit www.lphi.org .