ACA 2021 Virtual WC Program Book

Critical Issue Plenaries

ACA 2021 Virtual Conference

Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 • 8:30–10 a.m. Correctional Leadership in a Socially Distanced World

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 • 1:30–3 P.M. Correctional Staff Wellness Programs: Cost-Effective Alternatives

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Overview: The COVID-19 pandemic created a unique crisis for the world and especially for correctional agencies. Leading during these uncertain times and managing correctional staff and offenders presented a myriad of challenges for the corrections field and the general public. As correc- tional leaders, the expectation to lead is of the utmost importance while fostering dedication, teamwork, preparation, communication, and ensuring the health and safety of many. This session will focus on how agency leadership exhibits leadership skills, promote employee self-care, minimize negative outcomes, and maintain public safety. Participants will share their personal experiences of how they “kept it together” through the pandemic. Learning Objectives: 1. Identify key leadership skills in managing staff and correctional popu- lation during a crisis. 2. Explore strategies needed to effectively lead during uncertain times. 3. Recognize examples of leading through challenging times and the importance of staff wellness. Moderator: David Bobby , Co-Chair, ACA Professional Development Committee, Youngstown, Ohio. Speakers: Tony Parker , Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Correction, Nashville, Tennessee; Annette Chambers-Smith , Director, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Corrections, Columbus, Ohio; Todd Ishee , Commissioner, North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Raleigh, North Carolina; Cortrell Davis , Major, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, Thibodaux, Louisiana Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 • 8:30–10 a.m. COVID-19 Impact on the Health and Safety of Correctional Staff, Offenders, and the Public Overview: From arrest to re-entry and community supervision, the presence of COVID-19 in corrections has affected the health, both physical and mental, of the justice-involved population as well as employees. The pandemic has altered public safety provisions, movement within facilities, group gatherings, and the delivery of healthcare. This session focuses on how COVID-19 has changed corrections, and which of these changes are likely to remain post-pandemic. Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will be able to analyze the impacts of COVID-19 on daily routines. 2. Participants will be able to explain how corrections has been changed by the pandemic. 3. Participants will be able to identify changes that may become perma- nent post-pandemic. Moderator: Denise Robinson , President & CEO, Alvis, Inc., Columbus, Ohio; ACA Treasurer Speakers: Garry McFadden ; Sheriff, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, Charlotte, North Carolina; Anthony Annucci ; Acting Commissioner, Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Albany, New York; John Morley ; Deputy Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer, Depart- ment of Corrections and Community Supervision, Albany, New York

Overview: Correctional staff are essential to public safety. But corrections staff mean much more to an agency than that. Far too often, the mental and physical toll that correctional staff encounter weighs heavy and leads to poor outcomes. Investment in staff wellness is critical, and that investment is not simply a financial fix. This session seeks to elicit support from all levels of management that have direct oversight of staff wellness programs within their agency or facility. The goal of the session is to provide alternative options to improving staff wellness programs when funding is limited. Broad findings from a recent national scan conducted by ACA will be utilized as support. Learning Objectives: 1. List reasons to support staff wellness programs. 2. Identify key barriers to prolonged success of staff wellness programs. 3. Develop ideas for cost-effective staff wellness program alternatives within correctional agencies. Moderator: Gary C. Mohr , American Correctional Association 106 th Presi- dent, Chillicothe, Ohio Speakers: Colette Peters , Director, Oregon Department of Corrections, Salem, Oregon; Scott Frakes , Director, Nebraska Department of Correc- tional Services, Lincoln, Nebraska; Gary Junker , Ph.D., HSP-P, Director of Health and Wellness Services, North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Raleigh, North Carolina; Sonya Gillespie , Major, Denver Sheriff’s Depart- ment, Denver, Colorado Saturday, February 6, 2021 • 8:30–10:00 A.M. Prevention, Intervention and Management of Disruptive Behaviors Overview: Disruptive behaviors have a substantial effect on the safety of staff and the justice-involved population in jails and prisons. Understanding the factors that contribute to offender disruptive behaviors is essential to ensure safety of offenders, correctional officers and staff. It is crucial for corrections professionals to respond to disruptive behavior in ways that produce positive outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach in addressing the impact of disruptive behaviors on correctional operations is essential in the alignment of implementing evidence-based practices and services to reduce negative outcomes. Learning Objectives: 1. Discuss ways that we can reduces harm to staff and offenders when a response to disruptive behavior occurs. 2. Identify strategies to mitigate disruptive behaviors in correctional facilities by developing effective policies and procedures and training programs for staff. 3. Recognize behavioral health issues associated with disruptive behaviors and identify key components of behavior management. Moderator: Gary C. Mohr , American Correctional Association 106 th Presi- dent, Chillicothe, Ohio Speakers: Timothy C. Ward , Commissioner, Georgia Department of Corrections, Atlanta, Georgia; Tony Wilkes , Chief of Corrections, Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, Nashville, Tennessee; Dean Aufderheide , Director of Mental Health Services, Florida Department of Corrections, Tallahassee, Florida; Tony Parker , Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Correction, Nashville, Tennessee

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