2024 ACA National Harbor Program Book_Winter Conference

Moderator: J. Randall Sauls , Assistant Commissioner, Office of Health Services, Georgia Department of Corrections, Forsyth, Georgia Speakers: Tonya Kemp , RN, Deputy Director, Office of Health Services, Georgia Department of Corrections, Forsyth, Georgia; Sharon Lewis , M.D., Statewide Medical Director, Georgia Department of Corrections, Forsyth, Georgia; Marlah H. Mardis , M.D., DABFM, Deputy Statewide Medical Director, Georgia Department of Corrections, Forsyth, Georgia C-1H Start Now: The Efficacy and Effectiveness of a Skill-Based Program in Improving Behavioral Problems (CE, Y CE, CEU) Tracks: Healthcare & Treatment/Jails/ Social Work NEW! Room: National Harbor 11 This workshop will provide a bird’s eye view of how the START NOW Skills program was implemented and conducted in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Data gathered from more than 350 individuals in custody who underwent the START NOW program in Illinois prisons and how the current data is consistent with previously published data. In Illinois, disciplinary infractions fell by almost 40% and restrictive housing placement decreased four to six months post-START NOW treatment. Self-report aggression questionnaire decreased an average of 8%. This indicates the START NOW program remains a viable program for corrections. Learning Objectives: • Explain how the START NOW Skills program is effective in the Illinois Department of Corrections and some of the obstacles faced and learned while implementing this successful program. • Identify the key components of the START NOW Skills program such as cognitive behavior approach, focusing exercises, its neurobiological underpinnings and how to ensure the fidelity of the START NOW program persists across the state.

DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR GRAND PRIZE GAME PIECE STAMPED IN THE EXHIBIT HALL. YOU COULD WIN $10,000!

C-1G Compassionate Release/Medical Reprieve: Where Do You Fit In? (CE, CME, CERP) Tracks: ACA Resources/Health Care & Treatment/Security/Staff Training/ Facility Design/Reentry & Community Corrections Room: National Harbor 7 Compassionate release is essential for the offender during the end of life, and it can significantly reduce the financial burden on the state or agency. However, its usage has been dramatically under-utilized. The Georgia Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles have developed a collegial relationship to reverse this stigma. Through this relationship, workflows and training sessions have been designed to assist the healthcare providers, counselors, unit managers and facility staff in creating a process to identify and process these individuals through the application process. This collaboration has effectively reduced the burden on the agency. Learning Objectives: • Develop an understanding of Georgia’s Medical Reprieve and Compassionate Release Processes. • Discuss barriers in continuing care for critically ill individuals and the disease burden. • Learn how and when to identify those individuals who may be qualified for compassionate release. • Apply the lessons learned in Georgia to create a cohesive workflow to assist with implementing a successful program in your state.

WORKSHOPS Saturday, Jan. 6 ▼ 8–9:30 a.m.

134 — ACA 2024 Winter Conference | National Harbor, MD