Corrections_Today_November_December_2019

Professional Development

Professional Development Update

Welcome ACA’s New Professional Development Committee!

By Jessalyn Halbritter

U nder the presidency of Gary C. Mohr, the Professional Development Committee held its first meeting at the 149 th Congress of Correction in Boston this past August. The committee is co-chaired by David Bobby, regional director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, and Colette Peters, director of the Oregon Department of Corrections. “This committee is charged with building a meaningful and ongo- ing approach to engage and develop ACA members at conferences and throughout the year in the following two content areas: Community Cor- rections and Prison Management,” said Mohr. “To ensure that the estab- lished ACA committees are aligned and involved in this initiative, the chairs of the relevant ACA commit- tees will serve as members of the committee. Beginning with the 2020 Winter Conference, the committee will be asked to develop and deliver a four-hour integrated training block for each of the two content areas.” Following this mandate set by President Mohr, the committee is

“This committee is charged with building a meaningful and ongoing approach to engage and develop ACA members at conferences and throughout the year in the following two content areas: Community Corrections and Prison Management.” — Gary C. Mohr

committed to growing professional development trainings and work- shops over the next two years. The first committee meeting was filled with new and exciting ideas and goals to further develop and promote Community Corrections and Prison Management. Many factors go into the development plan, including ex- panding the presentation content and updating the methodology. The committee is comprised of an array of dedicated correctional leaders and training specialists, each member passionate to build the com- mittee and grow as an organization.

Jessalyn Halbritter is a professional development specialist at the American Correctional Association.

Photo courtesy Lovestruck Images ACA President Gary C. Mohr

82 — November/December 2019 Corrections Today