2026 ACA 156th Congress of Correction Pittsburgh_Program Book

From Incarceration to Inspiration: Bridging Voices, Challenges, and Pathways to Reintegration Room 310 Primary Community of Focus: Adult Corrections Overview: This forum brings together four unique perspectives to explore the intersection of community corrections, reentry, and the real-life journey of incarceration and recovery. A Community Corrections leader will share insights into supervision strategies and reentry practices that foster accountability while supporting success. A Substance Use practitioner and policy maker will highlight current initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism through evidence-based treatment and prevention programs. Adding a powerful personal dimension, two former inmates in recovery will share their journey of trauma, resilience, challenges, and transformation, offering a firsthand account of how policy and practice impact real lives. Together, these voices will engage in a candid discussion about barriers, opportunities, and collaborative solutions to build pathways toward sustainable recovery and successful reintegration. Moderator: Angella New , Assistant Regional Director, Florida Department of Corrections, Tallahassee, Florida Speaker: Maggie Agerton , Chief of Substance Abuse Treatment, Florida Department of Corrections, Tallahassee, Florida The Portrait of a Professional: Braiding Education and Reentry for Sustainable Youth Success. Room 319 Primary Community of Focus: Ohio Department of Youth Services, Education & Reentry Overview: Phase I: The Portrait of a Graduate -Dr. Jackson will detail the educational framework used within DYS facilities to address the specific needs of all learners, inclusive of high-achieving and struggling learners. Central

to this approach is the “Portrait of a Graduate,” a model built on seven essential pillars [Future Ready, Social Emotional Wellness, Leader, Self-Motivated, Skilled Communicator, Service Oriented, and Adaptability] that redefine what it means for youth being educated in correctional settings to be “job-ready.” Participants will learn how DYS schools move youth from intake uncertainty to post-graduation readiness and confidence by focusing on these holistic competencies and other positive interventions. Phase II: The Reentry Bridge — The session then shifts to the “warm hand-off” between the Education and Reentry teams. Once a youth achieves their diploma, the Reentry team activates a high-accountability career pipeline. We will discuss the mechanics of the Trades Institute at the Emerge Center, where graduates utilize judicially approved “work-leave” to earn industry credentials in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work. This section highlights the use of GPS technology for secure community engagement and the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP) partnership with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which allows youth to earn and bank wages while still technically incarcerated. Moderator: Ohio Department of Youth Services Staff Speakers: Michael Garret , Deputy Director of Community Reinvestment and Innovation, Ohio Department of Youth Services, Columbus, Ohio; Dr. Michael Jackson , Superintendent of Schools, Ohio Department of Youth Services, Columbus, Ohio Veteran Services Within the PA Department of Corrections Room 316 Primary Community of Focus: Adult Corrections Overview: The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is proud to employ more than 5,000 veterans. Additionally, the agency houses approximately 2,200 veteran inmates within

WORKSHOPS Saturday, Aug. 1 ▼ 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

144 — ACA 156 th Congress of Correction | Pittsburgh