2026 ACA 156th Congress of Correction Pittsburgh_Program Book

SATURDAY, AUG. 1

1:30–3 P.M.

The Complexity of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders and Reentry: Why Current Approaches Fail and Strategies to Improve Outcomes Room: 320 Primary Community of Focus: Prisons & Jails Overview: The vast majority of those who are incarcerated suffer from mental health (MH) and/or substance use disorders (SUD) exacerbating the stress of reentry. Traditional MH/SUD treatment puts the onus on the patient, and very few take the initiative for or continue treatment upon reentry. The Assertive Community Engagement (ACE) model, an evidence-based approach, will be presented including examples of how this model has been implemented in numerous jails and prisons across the country. This workshop is an interactive panel and audience discussion of barriers to successful reentry, how MH/SUD creates additional barriers, gaps in current approaches, how the ACE model differs from traditional approaches, and results from real world implementation. Learning Objectives: • Understand the barriers to successful reentry for returning citizens with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders • Assess current strategies and why these strategies often fail for returning citizens with substance use and mental health disorders • Learn about evidence-based approaches to engaging returning citizens with substance use and mental health disorders Moderator: Maggie Agerton , MS, CAP, CCE, PMP, Chief of Substance Abuse Treatment, Florida Department of Corrections, Tallahassee, Florida Speaker: Nicholas Cocchi , Sheriff, Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, Ludlow, Massachusetts

Correctional Behavioral Health Certification and Suicide Prevention Program Analysis Room: 311 Primary Community of Focus: Prisons & Jails Overview: The Correctional Behavioral Health Certification (CBHC) is one of the most successful professional certifications offered by the American Correctional Association. It has become a prestigious recognition of corrections staff who have demonstrated knowledge and skills associated with the provision of behavioral health services for incarcerated individuals with mental illness. Providing a national standardized certification that validates capability in working with mentally ill offenders and improves ability to compete in the job market, Correctional Officers, Community Corrections Officers and Allied Behavioral Health in jails and prisons throughout the United States have been awarded the CBHC. An overview of ACA’s powerful Correctional Root Cause Analysis (CRCA) for suicide prevention programs in jails and prison systems will be provided with audience participation welcomed. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how your agency can improve custody and care of mentally ill inmates and advance the organizational effectiveness of your suicide prevention program. Learning Objectives: • Explain the benefit of obtaining the Correctional Behavioral Health Certification • Identify the eligibility criteria for achieving

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

146 — ACA 156 th Congress of Correction | Pittsburgh