The Offender Parolee Probationer State Training Employment Program
2004 TOPPSTEP STATE CONFERENCE
"From Hard Time to Full Time"
September 13-14, 2004 The Georgia Public Safety Training Center
Forsyth, Georgia
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
STATE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES

Georgia Department of Corrections
Welcome to the first annual TOPPSTEP conference. The focus of the conference is to develop a better understanding of how to efficiently assist rehabilitated ex-offenders with their re-entry into mainstream society. The conference planners have provided some exciting and informative workshops. The conference is intended to link the agency partners so you will also have the opportunity to get to know each other in regional planning sessions. The workshops will provide each of you with the information and knowledge you will need to assist offenders find employment upon release.
I am excited about hosting this event to provide technical assistance to all partnering agencies throughout the state. Thank you for your support in making this conference a big success.
Have an enjoyable and productive conference!
Sincerely,
James E. Donald Commissioner

Georgia Department of Labor
I take great pleasure in welcoming all of you to the first annual TOPPSTEP Training Conference. Several years ago, the Georgia Department of Corrections, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the Georgia Department of Labor joined in a collaborative venture to assist rehabilitated ex-offenders in assimilating back into the workforce. Our goal then and now is to ensure that every rehabilitated ex-offender is gainfully employed and self-sufficient.
This conference serves our ongoing commitment to ensure that TOPPSTEP participants are getting the best, most qualified representatives to assist them with their transition back into the workforce and society. I applaud TOPPSTEP coordinators, career center supervisors, and all other practicioners from partner agencies for your commitment to the TOPPSTEP program. The work that you do in your communities not only benefits ex-offenders, but employers who participate in this program as well.
I'm sure that this conference will be both rewarding and informative to all. Keep up the good work and enjoy the conference.
Sincerely,
Michael L. Thurmond Commissioner

State Board of Pardons and Paroles
Welcome to the first annual TOPPSTEP (The Offender Parolee Probationer State Training Employment Program) conference. TOPPSTEP is a collaborative venture between the Georgia Department of Labor, the Georgia Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles to assist offenders in their successful reintegration into the community. Gainful employment is an important component of this reentry effort.
We have prepared informative workshops that will contribute to your efforts to help reduce the recidivism rate by improving employment preparedness as well as opportunities for Georgia's offender population. Your commitment to the goals and mission of the TOPPSTEP program will help with the offender's transition "From Hard Time to Full-Time".
May God richly bless you and all that you seek to accomplish in helping others make a better life for themselves and their families. Continue to make that difference one offender at a time and one job at a time.
Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Milton E. Nix, Jr. Chairman

AGENDA

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

8:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Conference Center
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Conference Center Bay A & B
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Conference Center Bay A & B

Registration
Opening Session
Moderator: Pat Lehn, Manager, Workforce Development, Georgia
Department of Corrections
Welcome: Arnold Smith, Division Director of Operations Planning
and Training, Georgia Department of Corrections
Greetings: Milton Martin, Deputy Commissioner, Georgia
Department of Labor Michael Nail, Director of Probation Operations, Georgia
Department of Corrections Dr. Eugene Walker, Board Member, State Board of
Pardons and Paroles
Conference Overview: William Larkey, Probation Operations' Manager of Field
Programs, Georgia Department of Corrections
Luncheon
Invocation: Norman Race, Albany Career Center Manager, Georgia
Department of Labor
Keynote Address: "Moving Beyond the Walls" Dr. Ralph L. Simpson, Principal, Millergrove High School,
DeKalb School System

AGENDA

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Auditorium
Room C111

Workshop Sessions
Conducting an Effective TOPPSTEP Workshop Many ex-offenders lack job-readiness skills, and have little or no job search experience. Ultimately, their inexperience causes problems for them in securing permanent, unsubsidized employment. Without preparation and direction, many ex-offenders will fall back into crime. Learn how to use your resources to Conduct an Effective TOPPSTEP Workshop! (Designed for Georgia Department of Labor TOPPSTEP supervisors, staff from Georgia Department of Corrections, and State Board of Pardons and Paroles) Presenter: Wayne Mack, Senior Employment and Training
Consultant, Georgia Department of Labor
Locating Resources in My Community Learn ways to mobilize and maximize local community resources to assist ex-offenders in their transition "From Hard Time to Full-Time". This workshop will offer insight on how to blend the gifts of the participants with the community networks, and develop a healthy community with social and economic benefits. (Designed for all staff) Presenters: William Larkey, Probation Operations' Manager of Field
Programs, Georgia Department of Corrections Renita Seabrook, Counselor, Atlanta Day Reporting
Center

AGENDA

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Room C103
Room C104
Staff Dining Room

Workshop Sessions (Cont'd)
Faith and Character Initiatives Six prisons across the state have just opened new "Faith and Character Dorms". Come learn from Department of Corrections staff how residency in the dorm and participation in this initiative is determined. You will also learn about the mission, purpose and curriculum of the faith and character program. (Designed for all staff) Presenter: Bill Hinton, Senior Manager for Risk Reduction Services,
Georgia Department of Corrections
Inside the Walls This workshop is designed to provide you with experiences, tips and information from those who provide services to inmates inside Georgia's prison walls. Hear what chaplain staff, volunteers, and other partner agencies have experienced and learned from periodic prison visits. (Designed for Georgia Department of Labor, TOPPSTEP Representatives) Presenter: Gayle Jordan, State AfterCare Coordinator, Georgia
Department of Corrections
Employer Recruiting and Retention Strategies Learn strategies designed to remove employment obstacles of ex-offenders and assist them in becoming employable. We must meet the demands of employers, provide dependable labor, and prepare our participants as qualified job applicants. Also, learn about employer incentives that will increase the chances of an ex-offender being hired. (Designed for Probation and Parole staff) Presenters: Brenda Young, Senior Employment and Training
Consultant, Georgia Department of Labor Derrick Marcus, Employment and Training Consultant,
Georgia Department of Labor

AGENDA

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Auditorium Corridor
3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Auditorium
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Cafeteria

Networking Break
General Session
Moderator: Thomas Wellman, Director of Correctional Programs,
Middle Georgia Technical College
TOPPSTEP Testimonial Dedric Pooler, TOPPSTEP participant
Extra Mile Award Presentation
TOPPSTEP-Stepping Up To New Challenges Presenters: Pat Lehn, Manager, Workforce Development, Georgia
Department of Corrections J.R. Henderson, Manager, TOPPSTEP, Georgia
Department of Labor Anitra Washington, Center Administrator, Atlanta Day
Reporting Center, Georgia Department of Corrections and State Board of Pardons and Paroles
Dinner
(Tickets Provided)

AGENDA

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Cafeteria
8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Auditorium
10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Auditorium Corridor

Breakfast
(Tickets Provided)
General Session
Moderator: Thomas Wellman, Director of Correctional Programs,
Middle Georgia Technical College
TOPPSTEP Testimonial Cynthia Sturm, TOPPSTEP participant
Extra Mile Award Presentation
Transition, Guide Dogs and Braille ..... The VR Connection Come listen and learn about the Georgia Department of Labor's Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Hear about the support services available in the Prison Braille and Guide Dog Programs. Learn about the project between the Department of Corrections, Macon Transition Center, and the Vocational Rehabilitation Program - another avenue for connecting blind individuals to independent living and employment. Ed Leysath, Rehabilitation Unit Manager, Georgia
Department of Labor Kay McGill, Vocational Rehabilitation State Coordinator
for the Blind, Older Blind Project Director, Georgia Department of Labor Dr. John Williams, Vocational Rehabilitation Regional Director, Georgia Department of Labor
"Overcoming Life Traps" John Jeffreys, Senior Public Service Associate, UGA
Fanning Institute Dr. Randell Johnson, Director, Platinum Group
Networking Break

AGENDA

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

10:45 a.m. - 12:00 noon Breakout Rooms
Room C104 Room C111 Auditorium Auditorium Conference Center Bay C Conference Center Bay C

Regional Workshop Sessions
What's Next? - Regional Strategic Planning Sessions Each region will come together to examine it's current demographics and to design a strategic action plan for the current year.
Each plan will include: l the focus of TOPPSTEP's mission, vision, and
values l realistic and achievable strategies tailored to the
client and the organization in each region l a plan to manage program opportunities and
challenges
Central Region (Green Dot) Wayne Mack, Senior Employment and Training
Consultant, Georgia Department of Labor
Metro Region (Silver Star) J.R. Henderson, Manager, TOPPSTEP, Georgia
Department of Labor
Southeast Region (Blue Dot) Dr. John Williams, Vocational Rehabilitation Regional
Director, Georgia Department of Labor
Southwest Region (Red Dot) Thomas Wellman, Director of Correctional Programs,
Middle Georgia Technical College
Northeast Region (Yellow Dot) Anitra Washington, Center Administrator, Atlanta Day
Reporting Center, Georgia Department of Corrections and State Board of Pardons and Paroles
Northwest Region (Gold Star) Pat Lehn, Manager, Workforce Development, Georgia
Department of Corrections

AGENDA

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Conference Center Bay A & B

Awards Luncheon
Moderator: J.R. Henderson, Manager, TOPPSTEP, Georgia
Department of Labor

Invocation: Woodrow Hudson, Director, Faith and Character
Initiatives, Georgia Department of Corrections

Lunch is Served

Remarks: James E. Donald, Commissioner
Georgia Department of Corrections Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner
Georgia Department of Labor Michael Light, Board Member
State Board of Pardons and Paroles

Entered Employment Awards Presentation:

Georgia Department of Corrections

Presenters:

James E. Donald, Commissioner Brenda Murrell, Director of Facility Operations

Georgia Department of Labor

Presenters:

Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner Rosa Hayes, Assistant Commissioner of Field Services

State Board of Pardons and Paroles

Presenters:

J. Michael Light, Board Member Danny Hunter, Division Director of Field Operations

Closing Remarks: J.R. Henderson

AWARDS
Extra Mile Award
The Extra Mile Award honors individuals who go the "extra mile" on behalf of TOPPSTEP. The honorees demonstrate a commitment to assist rehabilitated exoffenders in their re-entry into society and must make a significant impact in their region.
The award is based on the following criteria: l Works well with all TOPPSTEP partners l Good communication skills l Knowledge of all program areas l Sensitive to the needs of staff and customers l Knowledgeable of problem-solving strategies l Active in local community affairs l Self-directed, enthusiastic and motivated l Achieves performance standards
Entered Employment Award
The Entered Employment Award is given to each agency for outstanding contributions assisting rehabilitated ex-offenders in obtaining and maintaining employment. This award is given to local agencies with the highest entered employment rate within their region.

TOPPSTEP STATE TRAINING
conference
General Session Presenters

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Dr. Ralph L. Simpson
Dr. Simpson is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. He began his career in the area of criminal justice after receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from West Georgia College in 1986. After working in a maximum-security prison for a total of four years and observing so many individuals who had ruined their lives, he decided that he could become a part of the solution. He set out to help young people avoid having to serve time in a correctional institution or in the penal system by becoming employed by the DeKalb County Board of Education. There he experienced tremendous success as a teacher, mentor, and leader.
Feeling that he could be a more effective leader as a school administrator, Dr. Simpson returned to West Georgia College to pursue a Master of Education Degree in Administration and Supervision. In 1996, he was promoted to assistant principal of discipline, instruction, and attendance at Miller Grove Middle School. After two years, he was assigned to Stone Mountain High School as the assistant principal for discipline. Dr. Simpson made history in the year 2000 when he became the first African American principal in the history of Stone Mountain High. To further strengthen his academic portfolio, he completed his Specialist in Educational Leadership in 2002, and earned a Doctorate of Education in Supervision and Leadership at the University of Sarasota in February of 2004.
He is involved in a myriad of professional and public service organizations. Among these are the National Association of Educators, Georgia Association of Educators, DeKalb Association for Secondary School Administrators, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. He was honored as the Citizen of the Year for 2002. He serves as a mentor for several students and young adults.
Dr. Simpson serves as guest speaker for Fortune 500 companies, conferences, seminars, and graduation exercises throughout the country.
Dr. Simpson's accomplishments are attributed to determination, diligence, dedication, and tenacity. He has adopted as a personal motto "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." He considers himself as "an ordinary person attempting to do extraordinary things."

GENERAL SESSION PRESENTERS
John H. Jeffreys
John Jeffreys joined The University of Georgia J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership in 1994 as a Leadership Development Associate; currently he is Senior Public Service Associate. His major responsibilities are conducting leadership seminars and developing curricula. Current concentrations include grassroots community leadership statewide and new instructor development.
Previously with the University's Carl Vinson Institute of Government for 22 years, he trained government officials at all levels. Audiences included mayors, councilpersons, county commissioners, judges, tax commissioners, state legislators, and public safety and other state agency personnel. Additionally, he has facilitated workshops for hospital, recreation and parks, and other city/county personnel. Mr. Jeffreys was a recipient of the 1998-1999 Walter Barnard Hill Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service.
Mr. Jeffreys served eight years as a Clarke County commissioner and a term as president of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. He also served in a variety of positions at the national level of the National Association of Counties, and has been active in local community volunteer organizations for many years.
The Atlanta Project (TAP), for which he served as a lead trainer, showcased his instructional skills. He served as a facilitator for the year-long inaugural class of the National Association for Community Leadership's Leadership USA. He also serves on the national advisory board for the National Leadership Forum, Colorado chapter. Mr. Jeffreys holds a Master's degree in Public Administration and has completed all work, except the dissertation, toward a doctorate in Public Administration (ABD).
Dr. Randell G. Johnson
Dr. Randell G. Johnson is a native Southerner and has been a resident of Atlanta since 1976. After receiving a bachelors and masters degree from Tennessee Technological University, he completed a masters and Ph.D. at Emory University.
Over the last three decades, Dr. Johnson has worked at three different colleges where he served in many different capacities: Professor of psychology and English, Chair of Arts and Sciences, Director of Planning and Evaluation, and Director of Assessment Services. Dr. Johnson has also held some non-educational jobs. While in college, he was a shipping clerk in a football equipment factory and a musical program host for a Tennessee (country) radio station. After college, he was the Southeastern Regional Manager for an international advertising company.
In recent years, Dr. Johnson has turned his energies and qualifications in psychological assessments to coaching businesses and colleges in communication, team building, and strategic planning. A more sensitive task is to help the members of these organizations to understand how their life's journey has prepared them for and brought them to this point in time. He and his associates at First Platinum Group focus on helping companies and institutions build sound goals and strategies without losing sight of the organization's mission or without forgetting to recognize the people who accomplish it.

GENERAL SESSION PRESENTERS
Ed Leysath
Ed Leysath is a Rehabilitation Unit Manager with the Macon team of the Department of Labor/Rehabilitation Program.
He earned his B.A. in Psychology from East Carolina University, and his Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Georgia. He has been extremely active with the Georgia Rehabilitation Association, and served on the board for ten years and eventually as president. He has given over 200 presentations concerning developing a positive attitude, humor, teamwork and leadership skills. Mr. Leysath is very active in the MaconRiverside Optimist Club.
Kay McGill
Kay McGill earned her Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Kentucky. In her Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) career, she has been a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Facility Supervisor, Employment Manager, and Special Populations Coordinator for the Blind, Deaf and Deaf-Blind. She is currently the VR State Coordinator for the Blind, and the Older Blind Project Director. She is a member of various National and State rehabilitation and blind organizations, and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
Dr. John Williams
Dr. Williams is a graduate of Reinhardt College. He received his Masters and Doctorate degrees from the University of Georgia.
He has worked for the Division of Rehabilitation Services since 1973. He has served this agency in the following capacities: Rehabilitation Counselor, Rehab Employment Specialist, Center Manager, and Regional Director for Region 6.
Dr. Williams is the past president of the Georgia Rehabilitation Association. He has led over 300 one-hour workshops on attitude and motivation for public and private groups. Dr. Williams has presented more than 500 speeches for civic clubs, community programs, conventions and graduations.
He enjoys Georgia football, jogging, and most of all sharing his enthusiasm for life. Dr. Williams' nickname is "Mr. Enthusiasm."

TOPPSTEP STATE TRAINING
conference
Workshop Presenters

WORKSHOP PRESENTERS

Bill Hinton
Mr. Bill Hinton began working for Georgia Department of Corrections as a substance abuse counselor in January, 1976 at Scott State Prison. He has held positions as Chief Counselor, Deputy Warden, Warden, Training Coordinator, Program Director, and Assistant Regional Director. He is currently a Senior Manager for Risk Reduction Servicesresponsible for Education, Workforce Development, and Chaplaincy programs for the Georgia Department of Corrections.
J.R. Henderson
J.R. Henderson is a native of Atlanta, GA. He is both a dynamic and energetic person. He is committed to promoting professionalism and ensuring continual success in the lives of today's citizens. Mr. Henderson has worked in many capacities. He has also served as keynote speaker and trainer for many organizations which include: Children's Defense Fund, Department of Family and Children Services, Casey Foundation, Georgia CASA, Senator Connie Stokes College for Kids Program, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Metro-Atlanta Youth Opportunities Initiative, Georgia Welfare County Association and The Coca-Cola Foundation. Mr. Henderson has traveled around the world inspiring the lives of thousands of people. He has received many awards and recognitions from organizations such as U.S. Bureau of Prisons, Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, NAACP, United Way, The National Heritage Foundation and many more. He currently serves as Manager for the Georgia Department of Labor's TOPPSTEP Program, a program designed to assist rehabilitated ex-offenders in their re-entry into society and the workplace. Mr. Henderson obtained his degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science from Paine College and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame' in Haiti and the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.
Gayle Jordan
Since January 2001, Gayle Jordan has served as the State AfterCare Coordinator for

the Georgia Department of Corrections. In this capacity she trains faith-based groups in meeting the needs of people who are released from prison. In addition, she coordinates the matching and monitoring of the Aftercare and Mentoring process. During her time as State Aftercare Coordinator, over 70 churches have become involved and over 400 volunteers are approved as Aftercare Mentors.
Gayle Jordan has served as chaplain at four institutions, and served as Head Chaplain at three institutions. In 1981, she was the first female to be appointed as Chaplain of a male institution in Georgia.
Chaplain Jordan is a graduate of the Barbara King School of Ministry. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Bible and Religious from Agnes Scott College, and a Master of Divinity Degree from Emory University, Candler School of Theology. She was ordained at Hillside Chapel and Truth Center in 1980.
In 2000, her ministry expanded to Missions. She was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in April 2002. In October 2002, she attended the World Peace Pilgrimage in Lourdes France. She served as a pastor and teacher on her Mission trip with Mission Possible in St. Anne, Jamaica in July 2004.
William Larkey
William "Bill" Larkey began his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections as a Counselor with Georgia State Prison in Reidsville, Georgia. He also held many other positions such as Training Officer, probation officer in the Coweta Judicial Circuit, Probation Officer III, and Office Manager of the Griffin Probation Office. In 1991, he became Chief Probation Officer of the Griffin Judicial Circuit. Currently Mr. Larkey serves as the Probation Operation's Manager of Field Programs where he is responsible for facilitating the development and implementation of cognitive-behavioral programs within field probation.

WORKSHOP PRESENTERS

Patricia Lehn
Pat Lehn began her career with the Georgia Department of Corrections in 1973 when she was one of 30 social workers hired to begin an offender employment and community reintegration program. She has held a number of positions including Clinical Director of Andromeda and Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Women's Services. In 1979 she left Corrections to work for Governor Busbee as Director of the Governor's Office of Volunteer Services. In 1984 Pat left state government to become an independent service provider for the Job Training Partnership Program (JTPA) specializing in On The Job Training and GED preparation services. She assisted thousands of JTPA under employed and dislocated workers find permanent employment. Pat returned to Georgia Corrections in 1994 at the request of the Commissioner of Corrections to assist in the implementation of an offender employment program. Pat is currently the Manager of Workforce Development, Risk Reduction Services, which is under the Division of Operations, Planning and Training. Workforce Development includes vocational programs and TOPPSTEP.
Pat is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and has completed graduate work at Tulane University, Yale and the University of Georgia.
Wayne Mack
Wayne Mack is a Senior Employment and Training Consultant with the Employment Services Division of the Georgia Department of Labor. He currently serves in the Rapid Response Unit where he coordinates outplacement and transitional services to businesses and workers affected by company closings and large layoffs.
Mr. Mack is a highly requested speaker throughout the state. His knowledge of workforce trends and labor market information has earned him a reputation as one of the state's premier career design coaches and job information seminar presenters.

Mr. Mack has been with the Labor Department since 1990. He holds a B.A. in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Professional Public Relations from the University of South Florida.
Derrick Marcus
Derric Marcus is an Employment and Training Consultant with the Employment Services Division of the Georgia Department of Labor working primarily with the Employer Marketing Representatives. He is responsible for designing and developing training and providing technical support for staff. He has been with the Department of Labor for almost five years. While working in the career center, Mr. Marcus assisted in the development and implementation of programs to assist dislocated workers, TANF recipients and TOPPSTEP participants with their job search.
Mr. Marcus has a very diverse background. Prior to coming to the Department of Labor he taught adult education, worked in the private sector as an account in representative with Comdata Corporation and Zortec International, and worked in Real Estate Management. He has a Bachelors Degree in Communications from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Renita Seabrook
Renita L. Seabrook was born in Augusta, GA and raised in Atlanta, GA. She attended South West DeKalb High School and graduated with honors and as "Most Likely to Succeed". She attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, majoring in Law and Society with a minor in Supervisory Management, and graduated in May 1990.
In 1991, she began the Masters Program at Rutgers University, Newark, NJ. While attending graduate school, she was accepted into the Ph.D program. In May 1993, she graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. Currently, she is finishing her Ph.D requirements and is expected to graduate in May 2005.
Her credentials stream from a variety of positions and recognition in the field of

WORKSHOP PRESENTERS

Criminal Justice. She has been an Adjunct Professor at various college campuses in New Jersey and Georgia (NJ: Rutgers University, Kean, The State University of New Jersey, Seton Hall University, and Montclair State University; GA: Clayton State University). She taught courses in the areas of Sociology, Juvenile Justice, Criminology, and Criminal Justice.
Prior to accepting her current position with the Atlanta Day Reporting Center, she was employed as a Program Assistant with the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles. During her tenure as a Program Assistant, she worked exclusively on the Georgia Cognitive Skills Experiment, a joint effort between the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles and the University of Cincinnati.
Anitra Washington
Anitra S. Washington is currently the Center Administrator at the Atlanta Day Reporting Center. She began her career with the Georgia Department of Corrections in 1999, as a Correctional Officer at Phillips State Prison. After a brief stay there, she later transferred within the department to the Probation Division as a Probation Officer in the Cobb Judicial Circuit.
In February 2001, Ms. Washington became the first probation officer of a pilot project in Georgia through a collaborative effort between the Georgia Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and Parole. This Model was the Atlanta Day Reporting Center. Here, Ms. Washington was not only able to focus on supervision of the offender, but also on substance abuse, cognitive restructuring, education, and employment. Throughout the years, Ms. Washington has worked diligently to improve the lives of offenders through training and employment opportunities.
Thomas Wellman
Tom Wellman is currently the Director of Correctional Programs for Middle Georgia Technical College, is the current state president for the Correctional Education Association, and is a member of the Georgia

Offender Workforce Development Specialist Team.
He manages MGTC personnel in seven prisons and oversees the earning of MGTC certificates for those inmates that successfully complete vocational, OJT, or RSAT programs in Georgia state prisons.
MGTC offender programs include prerelease vocational training, offender job search, interview, job retention and Community Resource Search classes, individual pre-release vocational evaluations and counseling, employer recruiting and post release job placement and referrals. MGTC inmate training emphasizes a smooth transition from prison to Parole, the Department of Labor and the job.
Tom Wellman believes so much in giving education to inmates that even his wife, Renee, a university teacher, also taught inmates at Calhoun State prison.
He attended Florida State University where he received his bachelors degree and earned his Masters in Adult Education from Troy State University in 1998 with a 4.0 average.
Brenda Young
Brenda Young is a Senior Employment and Training Consultant with the Applicant Services Unit of Employment Services for the Georgia Department of Labor. Her expertise includes staff training on topics including employment counseling, testing, and job search workshops. She develops training and resources to assist staff as they provide services to job seekers participating in special programs such as TOPPSTEP, Client Assistance Program, Profiling, and Veterans.

GPSTC MAIN ACADEMIC COMPLEX

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BAY BAY BAY CB A

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LIBRARY

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GYM

AUDITORIUM

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CHECK IN

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