Corrections_Today_September_October_2020_Vol.82_No.5

Professional Development

Professional Development Update

Staff Training and COVID-19 Explore ACA’s e-learning program and invest in staff development

By Cindy Gomez and Simone Bernateau

T he use of virtual platforms to communicate is more important than ever, espe- cially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Agencies and jurisdictions across the global are tasked to offer continuous learning opportunities for staff development. With public health guidance in effect, the use of traditional face-to-face training op- tion is not available and maintaining the health and safety of profession- als is a priority. The development of a learning culture within an agency promotes a continuous learning environment and proves that staff are valued. Staff training is an invest- ment in the growth of the agency and its dedication to quality improve- ment and innovative approaches to management of the correctional population. Even through uncertain times, continuous staff development is crucial and taking advantage of the virtual trainings for staff develop- ment is an option that jurisdictions should consider. During these challenging times, there are so many ways strengthen

professional development opportuni- ties for jurisdictions and staffs in the corrections field, and ACA has been at the forefront in offering continu- ous training opportunities through its webinar series and existing e-learn- ing platform. ACA explores the best innovative options to enhance cor- rections professionals’ skills. ACA’s

virtual platform delivers valuable training opportunities on emerging and critical issues that improves corrections operations, advance the skills of corrections profession- als, and benefits the correctional population while ensuring public safety. ACA’s e-learning platform currently offers training courses for

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52 — September/October 2020 Corrections Today