Implementing a Gender Responsive Practice Model: Focus on What Matters Most

SESSION INFO

Tuesday, August 30, 2022
2:15 PM - 3:45 PM
Session Type: Workshop

As the number of women incarcerated in the United States has skyrocketed in the last four decades, programs are under more and more pressure to apply evidence-based models that address the unique needs of women. Despite the best intentions, not all practices and programs have the same impact, and there remains a gap between what research knows works and program outcomes for women. Understanding which services are providing the highest impact and return on investment can be a challenge, however a practice model is a tool to balance innovation with science to increase the impact programs and services for women and communities.  The purpose of this session is to provide programs working with women a framework for the intentional design and implementation of gender responsive strategies. Participants will engage with a framework based on research driven practices and explore how to align, strengthen, and measure program activities with gender responsive best practices.

SESSION PRESENTERS

Johanna Leal
Director of Innovation & Implementation Capacity, The Alliance for Community & Justice Innovation


Johanna has 20 years of experience leading innovative justice reform efforts in community organizations and government agencies including community driven reentry programs, schools, pre-trial services, probation, parole, prison, community corrections and behavioral health agencies. She led the design and implementation of re-entry programs for the Colorado Department of Corrections, Division of Parole and held a key leadership role in the implementation of statewide community reinvestment strategies which set aside state resources for grants to community-led organizations providing direct services to formerly incarcerated people navigating the reentry process. Leveraging her experience working in communities and in justice system organizations, Johanna specializes in working at the intersection of multiple systems to tackle the adaptive challenges of implementing transformational change. She contributed to the design of the Implementation Leadership Academy and coaches organizational leaders in the application of Implementation Science focusing on how organizations implement strategies to improve outcomes through organizational culture shift and developing the emotional intelligence of organizations to build resiliency and capacity to change. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Colorado, a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology and Education from UC Santa Cruz, is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), a Goleman Emotional Intelligence Certified Coach (EICC), ACE Certified Coach, Reentry Workforce Development Specialist Trainer (OWDS), and Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF).


Dr. Alexandra Walker
Director of Community Relations and Strategy, The Alliance for Community & Justice Innovation


Dr. Alexandra Walker over 20 years of experience in the field of reentry and behavioral health. She offers a diverse background in evidence-based practices, training, program development, implementation science, and treatment modalities. Dr. Walker has a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Corrections and Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a PhD in Sociology from Colorado State University. She has worked on a myriad of federal, state, and local justice initiatives and research projects. Most recently she transitioned from the Colorado Parole Board as Vice Chair to co-found and run the Alliance for Community and Justice Innovation. Dr. Walker has managed implementation efforts large and small across the correctional space in both community based and institutional corrections. She is well versed in the development, implementation, and measurement of fidelity to evidence-based practices and programming. As the Director of Community Relations and Strategy for the Alliance for Community and Justice Innovation Dr. Walker provides tools, strategies, research and evaluation support on implementation efforts, coaches staff on implementation and behavior change efforts, and develops practices and resources for specialized populations with leaders across the country.