The IACFP Board held its first in-person meeting in nearly three years in November 2022. In addition to conducting the business of the Association, the Board spent significant time on developing their strategic focus for the future and tactical and operational plans.
The board has identified three areas for strategic focus:
- International Strategy
- Professional Education and Support
- Community Corrections
The international strategy is proposed to have five areas of focus: 1) geographic areas of focus to strengthen practice; 2) outward agencies and organizations for partnerships and to serve as anchoring organizations; 3) inward to extend the reach of IACFP’s networks; 4) diversifying the IACFP board; and 5) building out the IACFP Correctional Mental Health Leadership Network.
The professional development and support strategy is proposed to also have five areas of focus: 1) sharing best practice knowledge; 2) leveraging technologies; 3) strategic partnerships; 4) mentoring and networking; and 5) understanding/responding to the different perspectives of leaders, internal and external practitioners, and security.
The community corrections strategy will build upon the “Mental Health in Community Corrections: International Perspectives” report and its recommendations. After sharing an embargoed copy of the report with individuals who were interviewed or who assisted in the distribution of the anonymous survey, getting their feedback, and identifying who is interested in continued involvement in this strategy, the IACFP is proposing:
- Wide distribution of the report;
- Training as part of the larger professional development strategy;
- Highlighting promising practices identified in the report (e.g., Hogoshi, forensic peer mentors and community engagement);
- Supporting further research in this area;
- Building community corrections into the mental health network; and
- Integrating community corrections into all other strategies, rather than as a separate effort.
Further details on the strategies and proposed budgets to support their implementation will be considered at the upcoming virtual board meeting in January 2023. Those details will be highlighted in the next IACFP Bulletin.
The business of the IACFP included meeting virtually with Mark Olver, CJB Editor, to receive his annual report. The board also reviewed the SAGE Publisher’s Report. The journal continues to perform extremely well. This is largely due to the work of the editorial team who represent complementary areas of expertise and scholarship. Three areas of discussion for Dr. Olver and the board were:
- Strategies for supporting promising papers from authors who may be from non-English speaking countries;
- Planning for the 2024 50th anniversary celebration of Criminal Justice and Behavior; and
- Recruitment and selection strategy for the next editor of CJB; the term will begin 1 January, 2024.
Other related business agenda items were the 2021 independent audit, investments, bylaws, and executive director contract renewal. The IACFP Board met virtually with Ben Jacobson representing Earney and Co., a North Carolina audit firm. The board received the 2021 independent audit report, performed by Earney and Co., prior to the board meeting. Earney and Co. audited the financial statements, related activities, and cash flow for 2021. This included testing a sample of disbursements and accounts receivable. There were no findings of improper accounting or financial actions and no recommendations for improvement to management.
The IACFP Board met virtually with Greg Mendoza and Daniel Keating from UBS, an investment management firm. They reviewed the 3rd Quarter Fiduciary Investment Review. This review included a review of the current market and an IACFP portfolio review. While IACFP investments, like all others, have experienced some volatility, the investment strategies for our portfolio have outperformed several of the benchmarks. The board did decide to make minor revisions in its asset allocation ranges in the IACFP Investment Policy.
The bylaws of the association had previously gone through a review; however, action on recommended changes was tabled. At this meeting, the board decided to present those changes to the IACFP membership and add two additional revisions for their consideration:
- The board may include student members and persons with previous criminal justice system involvement and
- At-large board members shall not serve more than three consecutive terms in the position.
Finally, the board voted to extend the contract of the executive director for two years.
After nearly three years of virtual meetings, the board was energized by the opportunity to meet in-person. This meeting provided an opportunity for board members to devote a significant amount of uninterrupted time to reconnect, chart a course for the future, and consider the resources that may be necessary to support that course.
Cherie Townsend is the IACFP Executive Director. She also works as an executive coach and consultant. Ms. Townsend previously worked as a leader and practitioner in juvenile justice systems for nearly 40 years.
