Corrections_Today_January_February_2019

Professional Development Update

than something for an individual to boast about, credentials show types of qualifications for our field like nothing else. ACA’s national certifi- cation program is one that facilitates the conversation and is very impor- tant to many individuals. More and more organizations are now requir- ing their staff to become certified, and many already are! At ACA, we love connecting with those indi- viduals and organizations who want to become Certified Corrections Professionals (CCP). Once certifica- tion is attained, the professional(s) are recognized nationally, and they are able to add more credentials to their titles. National certification is not a simple undertaking, but once achieved the candidate(s) exude an amazing sense of accomplishment. We are proud to work with such dedicated and passionate individuals in this field and are happy to assist with the certification process, from start to finish. E-learning Another way to stay at the top of your game in corrections is partici- pating in our e-learning program. E-learning is an ever-growing entity as topics in the correctional field are changing regularly, and it is our duty to ensure the most up-to-date infor- mation is available for the education of our correctional professionals. We currently offer topics in security, legal issues, health care and juvenile justice, and are constantly formulat- ing new courses. The most recent topics concern food service and eth- ics, as both are crucial in the field. To create these influential courses, we contact practicing professionals in

present in their sessions, and utilize examples from the field and from outside sources to best connect with their target audience. Training is an ongoing commitment, one that all correctional facilities can relate to, and there is a need for constant reinforcement. Through years of training experience, knowledgeable experts and a network of corrections professionals, ACA can address the recurring issues in the field through our face-to-face training. We strive to enhance the education of those who are dedicated to making our correc- tional facilities and institutions a safe work environment. In the department of professional development, all the programs are interrelated. Face-to-face training facilitates the certification process, which, in turn, creates an avenue for our e-learning program. Our goal is to produce new and emerging cours- es pertaining to the most current and relevant topics in corrections. Professional development is and always will be changing and evolving, which is necessary to continually educate those in the field. We have spent 149 years working to serve those in the correctional field, developing influential programs to constantly improve education and physical work environments. At ACA, it is our duty to remain com- mitted to consistently evolving to enhance the services we provide to the correctional field.

the respective field for their subject matter expertise, and from that our e-learning specialist gathers their knowledge and compiles that into a course. Our certification candidates utilize our e-learning program to assist with the facilitation of their recertification. It is crucial for our or- ganization to utilize this program, as technology is always evolving, and more and more individuals rely on digital access and learning for their education. To maintain relevance, we are focusing on creating courses that pertain to the emerging topics in the correctional field. But let’s face it, e-learning is not for everyone, and it may not be conducive for facilities or large organizations to utilize for large groups, which is why we also offer face-to-face training! Our training is familiar to most organizations and individuals, as it involves trainers visiting a facility or set location to meet with a group and teach them in a hands-on manner. ACA train- ers are practitioners who are subject matter experts and are here to serve you. We currently offer leadership trainings, both basic and advanced, as supervising in any sense is not an easy task. Our trainers utilize the most up-to-date information to changing and evolving, which is necessary to continually educate those in the field. Professional development is and always will be

Casandra DePalma is the director of Professional Development at the American Correctional Association.

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