2025 ACA Winter Conference Orlando_Program Book

MONDAY, JAN. 13

2–3:30 P.M.

Second Chance Success: Empowering Lives through Education and Employment Room W231 B/C Overview: This workshop explores the critical role of educational and vocational programs in correctional facilities and their significance in fostering successful rehabilitation and reintegration of incarcerated individuals into society. Relevant skills training, academic education and support are vital in preparing returning citizens for employment post-incarceration. In turn, educational and vocational programs have a positive impact on breaking the cycle of recidivism, reducing crime rates and creating a safer, more productive community. Primary Presenter: Jessica Artz , Chief Human Resource Office, ViaPath Technologies, Falls Church, Virginia Presenter 2: Shirley R. Moore-Smeal , Contractor, ViaPath Technologies, Falls Church, Virginia Presenter 3: Dawn Renee Smith , Deputy Director, Nebraska Department of Corrections, Lincoln, Nebraska Correctional Professionals Family Life Adjustment Room W240 B Overview: To help correctional professionals understand the impact of their profession on family life and develop strategies for improving family dynamics and personal well-being while balancing their work responsibilities. Primary Presenter: Richard Babcock , Correctional Institutions Division Deputy Director, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Huntsville, Texas Presenter 2: Moises Villalobos , Wallace Pack Unit Senior Warden, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Navasota, Texas

WORKSHOPS

Monday, Jan. 13 ▼ 2–3:30 p.m.

Successful Collaboration from Entry to Reintegration Room W240 C Overview: Evidence has shown that ‘silo’ business practices are not effective; rather, resources are best provided by a network of allied stakeholders to provide holistic services to meet the needs of individuals. Through the use of collaborations such as reentry councils and job/resource fairs in both the community and institutions, better outcomes are achieved. The value of ‘lived experience’ to inform those practices reinforces that appropriate services are provided. Successful reentry to the community following a period of incarceration can be challenging for the returning citizen. Enhanced communication and collaboration between stakeholders can help ease this transition and contribute to better outcomes. This workshop offers several recommendations that correctional agencies can implement to achieve this goal. Returning citizens, and more broadly the community of individuals with lived experience, are important stakeholders who are often neglected. Efforts to improve communication and collaboration should be informed by those who are directly experiencing or have experienced the reentry process. These individuals offer their diverse knowledge and skills to better inform service providers, thus creating a more cohesive and successful return to community.

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