2026 ACA Winter Conference Long Beach CA_Program Book

SATURDAY, FEB. 7

12:15–1:45 P.M.

succeed in both work and personal growth. The result: better quality, safer work, stronger skills and a positive cultural shift that starts at the gemba. The big idea for culture change is that it starts with how we see, how we lead, and how we solve problems. The keys to culture change include respect, continuous improvement, process focus and coaching. The purpose of gemba walks is to see reality firsthand, supporting people, identify barriers and encouraging problem-solving at the source by utilizing the tools and training, gemba walk checklists, 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams, process mapping and coaching exercises. We will provide a Case Study Example — contrasting the old approach of blaming workers with the new process-focused approach that equips people to succeed. Do not miss this opportunity to learn how to change your operation’s culture and see the positive results! Speakers: Brandon Bunn , Kaizen Promotion Officer, North Carolina Correction Enterprises, Raleigh, North Carolina; Jerry Freeman , Kaizen Promotion Coordinator, North Carolina Correction Enterprises, Raleigh, North Carolina; Amy Pataluna , National Correctional Industries Association, Halethorpe, Maryland Data-Driven Decisions from Post-Release Outcomes: The Economic Impact and Return-on-Investment of Pre-Release Career Technical Education Programming Room 102 B TRACK: Reentry Overview: Through the BJA 2018 Second Chance Act Adult Reentry & Employment Strategic Planning Program, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections has developed several strategic data-driven public safety initiatives to reduce recidivism by enhancing post-release employment success. Given the association of career technical education (CTE) programming with post-release employment success and reduced recidivism, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections partnered with Mississippi State

Blueprints from the Frontline: Co-Creating Organizational Direction Room 101 B TRACK: Organizational Management Overview: The Virginia Department of Corrections facilitates employee focus groups to assess perceptions of organizational support and identify opportunities for improvement. Using focus group methodologies and the Job Demands-Resources Analysis Framework (Bakker et al., 2023), employee feedback is analyzed and organized into topics, themes, and sub-themes. Key insights are illustrated through exemplars that highlight opportunities to enhance operational processes and promote employee well-being. The presentation will outline the process, analysis and findings that stem from and inform the 2025 nursing staff focus groups. Speakers: Dr. Steve Herrick , Virginia Department of Corrections, Richmond, Virginia; Matthew Whibley , Lead Operations Data Analyst, Virginia Department of Corrections, Richmond, Virginia Culture Change in Correctional Industries — The Positive and Lasting Impact Room 102 C TRACK: Operational Management — Correctional Industries Overview: This workshop introduces a practical, people-centered approach to driving culture change within correctional industries. It emphasizes that true transformation happens daily on the operation floor (gemba), where both products and people are shaped. This session equips staff with the mindset, tools and practical coaching skills to create a culture of respect, growth and problem-solving. By walking through the operation with fresh eyes, identifying and reducing waste, and focusing on process improvements instead of blaming, staff can empower incarcerated individuals to

WORKSHOPS Saturday, Feb. 7 ▼ 12:15–1:45 p.m.

108 — ACA 2026 Winter Conference | Long Beach, CA