On April 25-26, 2024 over 300 community corrections providers and other key stakeholders convened in Columbus for the 21st annual OCCA conference. Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OMHAS) Director LeeAnne Cornyn opened the conference with an acknowledgement of the vital role community corrections professionals play at the intersection of Ohio’s criminal justice and behavioral health systems. Conference highlights included an opening keynote on effective communication presented by renowned leadership expert, Stan Partlow and a closing address focused on the role of systemic factors in reentry outcomes by Dr. Joanne Lunceford from the City of Columbus Office of Violence Prevention.
The 2024 leadership track featured a series of special workshops by American Correctional Association (ACA) Secretary and President Robert Green, Ohio Association of Health Plans CEO Kelly O’Reilly, Volunteers of American Ohio & Indiana Chief DEI and Ministry Officer Kathleen Atkins, and Ohio State University lecturer Terrance Hinton.
This year’s conference roundtable centered on the additional challenges criminal justice-involved individuals face as they seek stable, affordable housing during Ohio’s evolving housing crisis.
