CCA Treatment Managers Gain Real-World Experience

CCA addictions treatment managers met in Nashville recently to take part in professional development training.

Recently, 11 CCA addictions treatment professionals were among the first in the profession to benefit from a revolutionary training session that would empower them to build stronger and more effective teams at their facilities.

The training covered the foundations of corrections addictions treatment, but more specifically focused on training the participants to become better educators for their staff. With this approach, training is not just a yearly event, but an interactive model that makes teamwork part of the experience.

"It's been a dramatic departure from traditional training methods," says Marty La Barbera, director, addictions treatment and behavioral programs. "We don't rely on classroom lectures. We rely on practice, getting your hands dirty, and learning from experience."

Another focus of the training was on the development of therapeutic communities in facilities. The communities are designed as a way for inmates to develop responsibilities, practice self-discipline and foster organization and positive interaction in a highly structured setting.

"It equates to better public safety and greater safety inside the institution," La Barbera adds. "Inmate programs help inmates focus on becoming better people, which decreases the risk of behavioral issues and the likelihood of incidents."

These participants also met many of the executive staff during roundtables and discussions throughout the week, including Dennis Bradby, vice president of Inmate Programs, Harley Lappin, chief correctional officer, and vice presidents of Operations Ron Thompson and Steve Conry.

"We had incredible support and encouragement from the executive staff at FSC," says La Barbera. "It speaks a lot to the values of the executive staff that they care enough to participate."

But one of the most helpful parts for many trainees was the opportunity to learn new approaches and ideas through networking and talking with their peers each day.

"It was a good opportunity for them to interact with each other, to bond and network with each other, and to have additional resources when they return to their facility," says Orr-Brown.

CCA Source Fall 2011