Corrections_Today_January_February_2019

Professional Development

certification Spotlight

What does the Commission on Correctional Certification do?

By Casandra DePalma

A t ACA, there are a number of committees and individu- als that are responsible for implementing change and assisting with the evolution of the correctional field. All the committees at ACA are very important and aid in the better- ment of the field. Included in those committees is the Commission on Correctional Certification, a com- mittee dedicated to creating and enhancing professional certification in corrections. The Correctional Certification Commission is currently an eight- member committee comprised of correctional professionals from vari- ous backgrounds. The U.S. Military, juvenile justice, correctional health, state and county correctional pro- fessionals along with private sector correctional professionals are all represented. These individuals on the committee are experts in the field, all with extensive educational and pro- fessional experiences in corrections. Currently, the committee is focused on making improvements

in 2019 for professionals in food service to gain credentials for their crucial role in the field. ACA strives for evolution and change. We want to make the field of corrections the best it can possibly be and to accommodate profes- sionals seeking development. The Commission on Correctional Cer- tification works to facilitate those wishes, by taking the most up-to-date information published and creating challenging exams and material to assist professionals in boosting them- selves in their careers. As was alluded to in the last edition of Corrections Today, “con- tinuous improvement” is one of our ongoing mantras in professional development here at ACA and the Commission on Correctional Certi- fication embodies this superbly as it leads the way in providing education to professionals in corrections.

on current certifications that ACA offers to correctional professionals. Currently, updates are being made to the Certified Correctional Executive

The Correctional Certification Commission

is currently an eight- member committee

comprised of correctional professionals from various backgrounds.

(CCE) program, which is the highest level of certification offered. Updates include improving the CCE exam, as well as offering new and more relevant study materials for those candidates to succeed. The commis- sion is also focused on creating new certifications, like the National Food Service Certification. The committee hopes to offer this new certification

Casandra DePalma is the director of Professional Development at the American Correctional Association.

74 — January/February 2019 Corrections Today