2026 ACA 156th Congress of Correction Pittsburgh_Program Book

activities as well as those of other participants through discussion and knowledge sharing. Learning Objectives: • Discuss Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) as a chronic relapsing disease for which there is treatment and recovery • Explore how resiliency impacts opioid use and recovery. • Examine the role of stigma in the Opioid Epidemic Moderator: Honey Sternberg , Occupational Health Manager, Freedom Behavioral Health, Montello, Wisconsin Speaker: Melanie Stroda , VP of Professional Development/Practitioner Services, USA Medical and Psychological Staffing, Edwardsville, Kansas Be It. Do It. Have It.: Breaking Free from Self-Imposed Limitations in Corrections, Community Supervision & Human Services Room 317 Primary Community of Focus: Staff Wellness Overview: Correctional professionals are expected to manage high-stress environments while balancing safety, security, professionalism, emotional stability, ethical decision-making and public service responsibilities. Whether working in county jails, state or federal prisons, juvenile justice settings, probation and parole, detention centers, community corrections, treatment programs, or reentry services, many professionals quietly carry the emotional weight of chronic stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, fear, frustration, self-doubt and emotional exhaustion. Over time, these pressures can negatively impact confidence, communication, leadership, motivation, workplace culture, emotional wellness and overall job performance. Be It. Do It. Have It is a transformational and motivational training experience designed specifically for correctional professionals and helping professionals working within criminal justice and community supervision systems. THURSDAY, JULY 30 3:30–4:30 P.M.

This training challenges participants to identify and confront the internal barriers, limiting beliefs, negative thinking patterns and emotional burdens that often hinder growth, resilience, confidence and professional effectiveness. Participants will explore practical strategies for renewing mindset, strengthening emotional resilience, improving communication, increasing self-awareness, and aligning personal wellness with professional purpose. Through powerful discussion, reflective exercises, leadership development concepts, and real-world application, participants will be encouraged to move beyond survival mode and reconnect with purpose, influence, confidence and intentional growth both personally and professionally. This training empowers participants to stop shrinking under pressure, break free from self-imposed limitations, and confidently own their seat of influence within the correctional and community supervision field. Speakers: Kendra T. Davis , LCAS, CCS, CCJP, D.Min., MRC, M.Div., CSOTS, MAC, IAADC, Substance Abuse Program Manager & Behavioral Health Training Specialist, North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, Advance, North Carolina Innovations in Programming for Incarcerated Females – A Look at SCI Cambridge Springs. Room 315 Primary Community of Focus: Adult Corrections Overview: In a profession historically defined by routines, in 2026, the world of corrections is changing at a rapid pace. This workshop will examine the innovative programming that is taking place in Pennsylvania at SCI Cambridge Springs. This female correctional facility is exploring new ways to rehabilitate those who are incarcerated in Pennsylvania. Moderator: Amanda Kroh , Psychological Services Specialist, SCI Cambridge Springs, Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania Speakers: Doug Gifford , Corrections School Principal, SCI Cambridge Springs, Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania; Amanda Kroh , Psychological Services Specialist,

Thursday, July 30 ▼ 1–4:30 p.m.

WORKSHOPS

114 — ACA 156 th Congress of Correction | Pittsburgh