C.H.A.M.P.S. Youth Council A Youth Development Approach to Changing How All Men Prepare For Success

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Dr. Ventura has worked in the Social and Human Services industry for over 20 years. Throughout his career, he has worked with justice involved individuals at different levels of institutional and rehabilitative experiences that include, substance abuse treatment, mental health, LGBT, juveniles, liberated lifers, senior citizens, homelessness, sex offenders, additional experience includes designed supports for family impacts and issues and barriers such as employment, education. Throughout these experiences working within institutions and with other organizations have been numerous collaborative arrangements. As a professional working in the industry, Dr. Ventura has produced significant outcomes for various organizations that have led to millions of dollars in grants and contracts. Has designed and implemented numerous trainings in the above fields and has served as a Program Coordinator for several facilities within the Los Angeles County Probation Department. He is currently serving as the Programs and Services coordinator for the Departments newest high profile Secure Youth Treatment Facility program. A multi-site program focusing on the rehabilitation and treatment of the States high risk offender population serving sentence terms of 2 to 7 years. Dr. Ventura received his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from California State University, Los Angeles, his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne, and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership for the Charter College of Education, at California State University, Los Angeles. His Dissertation: Liberating Consciousness: A Narrative Reflection of Correctional Education provides insights through a narrative case study that reflects on the implementation and practices of an education program in a County Correctional facility. The study explores the reflective experiences of four of the program's educational contributors that epitomize the various organizational components of the program's operation (educational leadership, correctional practice, academic facilitation, and community supports). Reflections of participant experiences provided insight and accounts of what strategic thought went into the educational program's development and implementation in the correctional institution. Through interviews and curriculum plan analysis, a story emerged that described the lived realities