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| New Year, new ACA |
| By Sarah Etter, News Reporter |
| Published: 01/15/2007 |
The American Correctional Association is practically a household name in the corrections industry. As a major provider of training and accreditation, the non-profit organization has had an impact on corrections operations for decades. And at ACA's winter conference, Corrections, Community and Public Health, they will set their sights on health care. This year, the ACA will debut the Professional Interest Section at their annual winter conference in Tampa, Florida. PIS was created in collaboration with the American Nurses Association and will provide certification for corrections nurses and nurse managers. Much like facility accreditation, the certification program is voluntary but allows for individuals to “gain recognition as professionally qualified corrections practitioners,” according to the ACA. The conference, which starts on January 19th and runs until the 24th, will offer 34 workshops focused on mental health, physical well-being, substance abuse treatment, and other related topics. According to ACA President Gary Maynard, health care is a critical component of overall success for corrections. “The ACA is deeply committed to improving correctional health care and ensuring the Professional Interest Section initiative on health care is successful,” Maynard says. “We have always been concerned that the treatment side of corrections and the security counterpart has met separately for training and other purposes. We feel that success will be achieved through team efforts, and that treatment and security should work together for more effective operations.” As part of their efforts to highlight health care, ACA will also launch a biannual journal called Correctional Health Today, a peer-reviewed publication that will offer advice on current medical issues. Maynard adds that the legal, administrative and security aspects of these issues will also be addressed, making CHT a comprehensive periodical. In honor of the ACA's healthy endeavor, U.S. Surgeon General Rear Admiral Kenneth Moritsugu will serve as the guest speaker at a Saturday luncheon. “The creation of the Professional Interest Section as an integral part of the ACA is a natural and critical bridging of correctional health care and correctional security professionals for much-needed discussions on important health care issues that include both areas of responsibility a true balance of care and custody,” Moritsugu says. “I'm happy to see the ACA take the initiative to create a professional designation for corrections' nurses and nurse managers. Correctional health care providers are an integral part of the correctional system. This program has the potential to improve the overall health of our nation,” he adds. James Bradley, author of the New York Times bestseller Flags of Our Fathers will be the conference's keynote speaker. Speeches will also be made by Alvin Bronstein from the ACLU and founder of the National Prison Project, and Rear Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the Guantanamo Bay Joint Task Force. Beyond health care workshops, the ACA will also offer a plethora of vendor exhibits to check out and new issues to discuss as well as numerous networking opportunities. Corrections.com will follow-up with a review of the ACA Winter Conference at the beginning of February. Related resources: For more information on the ACA conference, click here If you're planning to attend the 2007 ACA Winter Conference, please make sure to send us an email so we can publish your ACA experience! |
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