2026 ACA 156th Congress of Correction Pittsburgh_Program Book

instantly, reduce administrative burnout and return thousands of hours to frontline staff so they can focus on what matters most: the youth in our care. Moderator: Ohio Department of Youth Services Staff Speakers: Ben Arp , IT Architect, Ohio Department of Youth Services, Columbus, Ohio; Shawn Davis , Application Development Manager, Ohio Department of Youth Services, Columbus, Ohio; Brian Hernandez , Chief Information Officer, Ohio Department of Youth Services, Columbus, Ohio

stress management resources, wellness education, and partnerships that expand access to care. The session will also discuss challenges faced in launching a statewide initiative within a correctional system, strategies used to build trust and participation and early indicators of impact. This model offers a practical framework for correctional agencies seeking to move beyond reactive employee assistance approaches toward a proactive, culture-driven wellness strategy that supports staff at every level of the organization. Moderator: Kayla Franklin , Staff Wellness Coordinator, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Speakers: Lamar Ballard , CISM Coordinator, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Kayla Franklin , Staff Wellness Coordinator, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Eric Pimm , CISM Coordinator, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Dallas, Pennsylvania Outcomes Over Output: Redefining “Success” in Modern Juvenile Justice Systems Room 316 Primary Community of Focus: Ohio Department of Youth Services, Best Practices Institute Overview: Juvenile justice stakeholders want to know about impact; our metrics must evolve to prove how correction truly creates change. This workshop explores DYS’s pivot from traditional tracking of the volume of things professionals did (output) to the return on those activities for public safety and the readiness for responsible adulthood (outcome). This workshop will cover not only changes to the thinking but also a walkthrough of how to measure outcomes and the strength of their relationship with outputs. We will demonstrate how these outcome-focused data sets support our “Parole Transformation,” moving staff from

Building a Culture of Wellness in Corrections: The PA DOC Model Room 310 Primary Community of Focus: Staff Wellness

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

Overview: Correctional environments are inherently high-stress workplaces where staff are routinely exposed to physical risk, emotional strain, and chronic operational demands. These conditions contribute to burnout, absenteeism, turnover, and diminished overall well-being. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PA DOC) has taken a proactive, system-wide approach to addressing these challenges by intentionally building a culture of wellness that is accessible, sustainable, and embedded in organizational practice. This presentation outlines the development and implementation of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Staff Wellness Program, highlighting a multi-dimensional model that integrates peer support, leadership engagement, behavioral health resources, resilience-building initiatives, and proactive outreach across facilities and central office operations. Rather than treating wellness as an optional benefit, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has positioned it as an operational priority aligned with staff retention, performance and organizational readiness. Participants will learn how the program was structured, including key components such as peer-based support networks, critical incident

152 — ACA 156 th Congress of Correction | Pittsburgh