2023 ACA Philadelphia Program Book_153rd Congress of Correction

Moderator: Kayla James , Senior Program Associate, Vera Institute of Justice, Brooklyn, New York Speakers: Andre Bethea , Senior Policy Advisor for Corrections & Reentry, U.S. Department of Justice — Bureau of Justice Assistance, Washington, D.C., Tracie Hightower , Education and Training Administrator, Oregon Department of Corrections, Salem, Oregon; Joshua Steele , Regional Director, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, Stillwater, Oklahoma C-3G Yoga as a Tool for Mental Health and Resilience for Correctional Staff and Incarcerated Persons (CE) Track: Nursing Room 203-B There is a wealth of new research that empirically supports the benefits of mindfulness. Mindful meditation, breathing and movement are elements of yoga that are basically self-regulation practices. Among these benefits are self-control, objectivity, affect tolerance, enhanced flexibility, equanimity, improved concentration and mental clarity, emotional intelligence and the ability to relate to others and oneself with kindness, acceptance and compassion. When our attention is focused, it can foster a greater sense of mental well-being and the development of calmness in stressful situations. All these are tools relevant to the wellness and performance of everyone in corrections and will be delved into in more detail. Learning Objectives: • Understand the brain-body science of yoga. • Have a skill set of how to use yoga techniques for healthy self-regulation in their professional setting as well as personal use. • Practice yoga with more understanding of the variations offered in practice, and use them in any space needed. Moderator: Denise Druce , MPH, E-RYT500, C-IAYT, President of Yoga Forward, Yoga Assets Teacher Training Systems, Salt Lake City, Utah

C-3F Preparing People Who Are Incarcerated for In-Demand Careers that Support America’s Infrastructure Track: Staff Training Room 203-A In light of historic federal investment in infrastructure and unprecedented shifts in U.S. labor market demand due to COVID-19, employers are more open to hiring formerly incarcerated people than ever. This employment landscape can benefit the 600,000+ people released from correctional facilities each year. Stable, in-demand, high-wage employment secured within the first months after release substantially contributes to a person’s reentry success. In this critical moment, this interactive workshop will showcase how DOCs and their partners leverage BJA funding to create job training programs that provide incarcerated people with industry-relevant credentials, prepare them for in-demand careers and equip them with essential reentry tools. Learning Objectives: • Learn about innovative approaches from state departments of corrections (DOCs) and their partners leveraging Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Second Chance Act grant funding to provide incarcerated people opportunities to earn industry-relevant credentials and prepare for high-wage, in-demand careers after release. • Learn how DOCs and their partners are combining these job training opportunities with reentry preparation, job readiness and soft skills programs and providing participants with the necessary identification, documentation and connections to employers ready to hire formerly incarcerated people. • Learn how other DOCs and their partners can utilize future BJA funding opportunities related to education, employment and reentry to develop or enhance job training and job readiness programs.

Saturday, Aug. 12 ▼ 2–3:30 p.m.

WORKSHOPS

134 — ACA 153 rd Congress of Correction | Philadelphia