2026 ACA 156th Congress of Correction Pittsburgh_Program Book

Overview: Do you ever wonder why the individuals you work with can crash out with the wrong look or glance? Or why some situations and individuals make us act in ways that may not be the most professional? Take part in an interactive learning lab lead by Roca’s James (JT) Timpson and Maryland DJS staff and explore how a basic understanding of brain science, traumas impact on behaviors and a few simple skills can help put all of us back in the driver seat of our reactions to challenging behaviors and situations. The Roca Impact Institute has trained over 3000 juvenile and adult corrections staff and community partners in Rewire CBT, a simple skills-based approach to CBT, long considered the gold standard in cognitive behavioral interventions within corrections. Come participate in a sample activity highlighting a practice that juvenile and adult corrections officers find immediately valuable in their day-to-day work. “It really offers an opportunity to pause from the day to day and take the time to think about how we currently work with youth and be very intentional moving forward with practical skills.” — San Francisco Department of Juvenile Services Juvenile Counselors “The two most important things I took from this course was learning the ability to pause and really think before reaction. Learning new skills to deal with certain situations at work that could change my entire career in seconds.” — Suffolk County Corrections Officer Moderator: Jennifer Clammer , Executive Vice President, Roca Impact Institute, Chelsea, Massachusetts Speakers: Jared Garrett , Facilitator, Roca Impact Institute, Richmond, Kentucky; James (JT) Timpson , Managing Director, Community Violence Initiatives, Baltimore, Maryland

a referee mindset to one of an individualized juvenile coach. Moderator: Ohio Department of Youth Services Staff Speakers: Dr. Jordan Argus , Chief Executive, Best Practices Institute, Ohio Department of Youth Services, Columbus, Ohio Placement by Design: Building Job-Ready Culture Inside Correctional Training Programs Room 318 Primary Community of Focus: Prisons & Jails Overview: This interactive workshop demonstrates how correctional training programs can intentionally build a job-ready culture that improves post-release employment outcomes. Drawing from implementation inside a state correctional facility, participants will engage in structured exercises to map employer expectations to classroom practices, identify gaps in current training environments and develop practical strategies to reinforce accountability, reliability and work culture. The session emphasizes actionable tools that correctional staff can apply immediately to strengthen participant engagement, align training with real job-site expectations and support successful reentry outcomes. Moderator: William Stark , Carpentry Instructor, Home Builders Institute, Pensacola, Florida Speakers: Heather Luhn , Associate Vice President, Community and Corrections Services, Home Builders Institute, Washington, D.C.; Stephanie Meyer , Regional Career Development Coordinator, Home Builders Institute, Ordway, Colorado The Power of the Pause – How Simple Awareness and Skills Can Improve Our Interactions Room 317 Primary Community of Focus: Staff Development

WORKSHOPS

Saturday, Aug. 1 ▼ 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

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