Wed Aug 6 | 10:45-11:45 AM | Room SU 205

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and Analyze Maladaptive Cognitive Patterns

• Develop and Apply Cognitive Skills for Pro-social Behavior

• Evaluate and Implement Evidence-Based Cognitive Interventions

Speaker(s): Timothy Wert, Youth Opportunity Investments

Wed Aug 6 | 10:45-11:45 AM | Room SU 208A

**Understanding A Confined Encounter: The Lived Experience of Bereavement Behind Bars, course #6386, is approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to be offered by Everyday Solace Foundation as an individual course. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE course approval period: pending approval. Social workers completing this course receive 1 general continuing education credits.**

Course Description:

Grief is a universal experience; however, not everyone experiences grief and loss in the same way. People who are incarcerated are often informed of losses via phone, are unable to attend funeral services or participate in supportive rituals and can have difficulty expressing feelings in a place where showing emotion can be dangerous. Being unable to obtain support and process grief and loss may contribute to impaired functioning. This session will explore the experience of bereavement behind bars and how the powerful sociocultural prescriptions of the prison environment can cause the grief of prison inmates to be profoundly disenfranchised and demonstrates how this can impact hugely negatively on their coping ability.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the patterns of mental and emotional reasoning system-impacted people exhibit regarding the loss of a loved one.

• Identify approaches that effectively support a level of bereavement care more attuned to the needs of imprisoned people.

• Apply intervention strategies to social workers, mental health professionals, pastoral/religious counselors, and peer support specialists, helping to create more coordinated and supportive reintegration pathways for individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community.

Speaker(s): Dr. Witni Jackson, LCSW, MAC, Non-Profit Social Worker - Everyday Solace Foundation, Instructor/CEO - Kuna Consulting, LLC

Biography:

Dr. Witni Jackson LCSW, MAC is a dedicated and enthusiastic leader with over 15 years of experience in implementing behavioral healthcare systems in mental health, substance abuse and co-occurring disorders in public sector organizations.

Dr. Jackson has worked with various populations which include children, adolescents, adults, veterans, individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals with mental illness, individuals with substance use disorders, and individuals with co-occurring disorders. She has worked in both inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance abuse settings.   

Accommodations:

We are honored to provide reasonable accommodations and services. To request Student Access and Accommodation please notify us via email. Use the Contact Form to submit a request for accommodation.

Wed Aug 6 | 10:45-11:45 AM | Room SU 207

Learning Objectives:

• Master the Art of Communicating ROI to Inspire Long-Term Support

• Leverage Data to Design Programs that Truly Serve Your Community

• Build a Comprehensive Cost Structure for Financial Sustainability

Speaker(s): Alison Rapping, Arouet Foundation

Wed Aug 6 | 10:45-11:45 AM | Room SU 209

Learning Objectives:

• Interpret the foundation of trauma and how to navigate the Impact with a trauma-informed and resiliency-building approach.

• Cultivate elements of resiliency organically in day-today services.

• Understand how trauma-informed engagement supports successful client and organizational outcomes.

Speaker(s): Hope Cross, Cultivating Hope Training and Consulting

Wed Aug 6 | 10:45-11:45 AM | Room SU 211

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize Lived experience as Expertise – Understand how the personal journeys of justice-impacted individuals position them as subject matter experts in reentry, faith-based support, and community transformation.

• Examine the Role of Faith Communities in Reentry – Explore how faith-based organizations in Tennessee provide critical support, including housing, employment opportunities, emotional guidance, and a sense of belonging for justice-impacted individuals.

• Identify Strategies to Strengthen Community-Based Support Networks – Learn practical approaches for building and enhancing reentry support systems through faith communities, nonprofit organizations, and community partnerships to improve long-term success for justice-impacted individuals.

Speaker(s): Monty Burks, Tennessee Governor’s Office

Wed Aug 6 | 10:45-11:45 AM | Room SU 213

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about challenges and opportunities in building trust in underserved communities.

• Learn how to mobilize communities around their own strengths.

• Learn how to document a shift of trust in a community.

Speaker(s): Jennifer Loyless and Jessica Hidalgo, Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office

Wed Aug 6 | 2:45-3:45 PM | Room SU 219

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and understand the unique stressors associated with military service and transition.

• Develop and apply at least three practical coping mechanisms for managing stress and enhancing emotional regulation.

• Recognize the importance of seeking help when needed and identify available resources for mental health support.

Speaker(s): Jeff Horwitz and Adam Swift, SAFE Project

Wed Aug 6 | 3:00-4:00 PM | Room SU 208A

Learning Objectives:

• Identify a number of advantages and challenges for researchers engaging in researcher-practitioner partnerships in the field of reentry.

• Identify a number of advantages and challenges for practitioners engaging in researcher-practitioner partnerships in the field of reentry.

• Identify pathways by which co-produced research can improve reentry practice and outcomes.

Speaker(s): Dr. Ryan Spohn, Nebraska Center for Justice Research, University of Nebraska-Omaha

Wed Aug 6 | 3:00-4:00 PM | Room SU 209

Learning Objectives:

• Gain knowledge of an Individualized Reentry Plan and why it is an important tool for assisting individuals with a disability successful transition back into society.

• Use data to identify individuals incarcerated with a disability and how to support them pre and post release.

• Understand the Role of Emotional Intelligence in Decision-Making and Behavior Change

• Identify Practical Strategies for Strengthening Emotional Intelligence Post-Incarceration

• Examine the Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Social Reintegration and Recidivism Reduction

Speaker(s): Dr. Craig Waleed, Disability Rights North Carolina/ End Solitary NC and Sharif Brown, Alliance of Disability Advocates

Wed Aug 6 | 3:00-4:00 PM | Room SU 211

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key components of effective reentry programming that support successful reintegration, including housing, employment, behavioral health, and community support services.

• Explore collaborative strategies among justice partners, service providers, and community organizations to reduce recidivism and address barriers faced by individuals returning from incarceration.

• Evaluate outcome-driven reentry models and best practices that promote long-term stability and public safety through individualized case planning and support.

Speaker(s): Tiana Johnson, Hamilton County Adult Probation Court of Common Pleas

Wed Aug 6 | 3:00-4:00 PM | Room SU 205

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the Power of Personal Narrative: Attendees will learn how storytelling influences criminal justice reform, shifts public perception, and creates opportunities for advocacy, publishing, and career growth.

• Develop a Framework for Ethical & Impact Driven Storytelling: Participants will explore how to craft their stories in a way that is compelling, responsible, and positioned for maximum impact across different audiences (e.g., policymakers, the public, media, and funders).

• Learn Practical Strategies to Share & Market Story: Attendees will gain actionable tools to amplify their narratives through books, speeches, media appearances, and digital platforms, ensuring their voices contribute to meaningful change.

Speaker(s): Elona Washington - CEO, The Author's Journey

Wed Aug 6 | 3:00-4:00 PM | Room SU 207

Learning Objectives:

• Advocate for ordinances mandating fair chance hiring.

• Build relationships with key stakeholders.

• Present business case for fair chance hiring initiatives 

Speaker(s): Candice White and Khalil Halim, Second Chance Center

Wed Aug 6 | 3:00-4:00 PM | Room SU 213

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the role of trauma and identity disruption in the re-entry experience and how expressive arts can support healing and re-integration.

• Identify at least three expressive arts modalities that can be used in re-entry mental health counseling.

• Understand how expressive arts interventions can increase emotional regulation, self-worth, and community connectedness in justice involved individuals.

• Explore practical strategies for integrating expressive arts into correctional and/or community based mental health programming to promote rehabilitation and community safety.

Speaker(s): Melanie Stargell, CEO and Owner of Anchored Counseling and Consulting

Wed Aug 6 | 3:00-4:00 PM | Room SU 219

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the psychological impact of social isolation in incarceration and its effects on emotional regulation and interpersonal skills in formerly incarcerated individuals.
  

• Define and explain the importance of social habilitation and emotional intelligence (EI) as foundational tools for successful reentry and long-term reintegration.
  

• Practice empathy and active listening to enhance emotional intelligence, demonstrating how these skills support healthier social interactions and effective reentry preparation.

Speaker(s): Wilfredo Laracuente, Work Readiness Instructor, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow

Wed Aug 6 | 4:15-5:15 PM | Room SU 205

Learning Objectives:

• Describe barriers to successful reentry.

• Understand the Fair Chance Initiative.

• Gain knowledge on social responsibility and public safety.

Speaker(s): Brandy Smith, Program Director and Kim Thomas, C.A.S.E. Sr. Manager, Arouet Foundation

Wed Aug 6 | 4:15-5:15 PM | Room SU 207

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Describe the behavioral health needs and common clinical presentations of justice-involved individuals engaged in Medicaid behavioral health services.

• Implement trauma-informed and culturally responsive clinical interventions to improve engagement and retention in care for justice-involved clients.

• Understand Medicaid systems to enhance care coordination, continuity, and cross-sector collaboration for justice-involved populations.

Speaker(s): Dr. Luis S. Garcia, Senior Consultant at Advocates for Human Potential (AHP)

Wed Aug 6 | 4:15-5:15 PM | Room SU 209

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of Second Chance Employment.

• Discover how to structure a second chance program build partnerships with employers.

• Gain tools to support long-term success for justice-involved individuals.

Speaker(s): Don Williams, Director of Community Relations at Jumpstart SC

Wed Aug 6 | 4:15-5:15 PM | Room SU 211

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the fundamentals of Second Chance Employment.

• Discover how to structure a second chance program build partnerships with employers.

• Gain tools to support long-term success for justice-involved individuals.

Speaker(s): Steven Sewell, Speaker, Author & Grief Counselor - Encouraging Hope, Inc.

Wed Aug 6 | 4:15-5:15 PM | Room SU 213

Learning Objectives:

• Understand what mindfulness is and how it supports mental health in high-stress environments.

• Learn practical breathwork techniques to help manage stress, regulate emotions, and reset the nervous system.

• Explore how mindfulness can support returning citizens in building self-awareness and personal responsibility.

• Gain simple strategies that can be integrated into reentry programs, case management, and community care.

• Walk away with tools and prompts to support reflection, healing, and resilience—personally and professionally.

• Leave feeling grounded, centered, and better equipped to support a more compassionate and connected path forward.

Speaker(s): Leticia Escamilla, CEO/Founder, MindFuel in Motion

Wed Aug 6 | 4:15-5:15 PM | Room SU 208A

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the benefits of program-based budgeting.

• Outline steps to transition from line-item budgeting to program-based budgeting.

• Share examples of local governments reentry programs that utilize program-based budgeting.

• Leave with strategies for cultivating stakeholder awareness.

Speaker(s): Shinita Kimbrough-Reddick

Wed Aug 6 | 4:15-5:15 PM | Room SU 219

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the impact of resentment on justice-involved individuals.

• The psychological and emotional dangers for holding resentment.

• Cultivate strategies to release resentments.
  

Speaker(s): James LeBlanc, CEO-JML Speaks