2026 IPCSA Fall Conference

October 28-30, 2026

The Westin Chicago Northwest

400 Park Blvd

Itasca, IL  60142

Restoring Hope, Inspiring Change, Anything is Possible!

Hosted by DuPage County

IPCSA HAS GONE CASHLESS! 

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Merchandise sales, Raffle sales, 50/50 sales are cashless.  We will offer VENMO for your convenience.  
2. Drink purchases at evening events require cash only! (ATM available on site).

Lodging Information:

• The Westin Chicago Northwest, 400 Park Blvd, Itasca, IL 60142
• $115.00 USD per night plus tax/fees
• Last Day to Book : Tuesday, October 06, 2026
•  Reservation Link:  Book your group rate for Illinois Probation and Court Services Association – IPCSA Fall Conference Oct2026
• Call for Reservations:  1-888-236-2427 or 630-773-4000
• Room block expires October 6, 2026

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 

8:30-4:30 a.m.  Leadership Academy (reserved for those previously accepted into the Academy)

Wednesday, October 28, 2026 

(registration for attendance of committee meetings is not required unless you are attending the conference workshops)

8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Committee Meetings

8:30 a.m.     Representative Chair (Marlborough Room)

9:00 a.m.     Supervisor (Marlborough Room)

9:00 a.m.      Program (Leighton Room)

9:00 a.m.      Detention (Prescott Room)

9:00 a.m.      Officer Safety and Wellness (Barrington Room)

9:30 a.m.      Membership (Stanford Room)

10:00 a.m.     CMO/Legislative (Marlborough Room)

10:00 a.m.     Awards (Edwardian Room)

10:00 a.m.     Problem-Solving Courts/Substance Abuse (Leighton Room)

10:00 a.m.     Sex Offender (Prescott Room)

10:00 a.m.     Juvenile (Barrington Room)

10:00 a.m.     Interstate/Intrastate (Stanford Room)

11:00 a.m.     Information Technology (previously Research & Technology) (Stanford Room)

11:00 a.m.     Pretrial (Edwardian Room)

11:00 a.m.     Human Advocacy (Leighton Room)

Lunch Provided 12:00 p.m. -1:30 p.m.

 All workshops at this conference are COPE approved.  

Wednesday, October 28, 2026     1:30-4:30 p.m.

  Justice is Me

Featuring Amanda Carrasco:  Amanda Carrasco is a family survivor of homicide and sexual assault who uses her experiences to impact the lives of her community and those impacted by the justice system. She is a successful global business owner, dynamic speaker, consultant, and leader who values community and justice.

Workshop Description:  Where I found justice in the process of healing through sexual assaults and losing my family to murder and what are the implications for justice moving forward as individuals and as communities. I will highlight the key role that Restorative Justice played, including how to sit face to face with the people who caused you the deepest wounding in your life. 

Wednesday Evening Event:  Information coming soon!

Thursday, October 29, 2026 8:30-11:30 a.m. 

PLEASE NOTE:  Workshop lengths have changed.  We have added 2 hour and 1 hour sessions. When making selections, please ensure times do not overlap and that you have chosen a total of 3 training credit hours for the morning sessions.  

Workshops 8:30-11:45 a.m.-3 hour session

• Let’s Be Safe-Home Contact Training (Les Niemi; Tara Woodard):  Field safety and taking precautions is essential when preparing for field contacts. In this course, officers will learn the importance of situational awareness and having a proactive assessment of potential risks. Learners will examine how relational skills, the need for preparation, flexibility/adaptation, the environment, and surroundings impact a successful field visit, from both the officer’s and client’s perspective. Officers will review the safety differences of rural, urban, and suburban visits. Lastly, the course will outline AOIC casework standards and internal policies and procedures regarding field visits.

Workshops 8:30-10:30 a.m.-2 hours session.  

• Field Visits-Philosophy and Purpose (Mary Colleen Powers; Becky Self ):  Knock, knock…home visits shouldn’t be a stumbling block. This course will help Probation Officers conducting field work incorporate best practices to use while in the field. It will cover AOIC casework standards related to fieldwork and help officers learn to utilize evidence-based practices while completing home visits, field visits, school visits, or any other field related visits. The focus will be on the issue of addressing responsivity/barriers our clients experience, the importance of building relationships through a professional alliance with clients, recognizing the benefits and challenges of working with a client in their natural environment, forming professional relationships with collateral contacts, developing goal-oriented conversations in the field, and will look into the legal aspects related to field work.

Workshops 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.  (1 1/2 hour sessions)

• Communicate to Connect (Mike Drugan):  Strengthen probation officers’ ability to build rapport, manage challenging conversations, and improve compliance outcomes through focused active listening and professional communication techniques.
• Restorative Justice Practical-Adult Probation Officers (Amanda Carraso):  This workshop will address questions such as: How can we honor victims through probationary work? What applications are possible through restorative justice to enhance the work of probation officers with their clients? Can this apply to offenders who do not accept responsibility for their crimes?
• Problem-Solving Courts:  An Overview and Role Specific Training (Bill Blundell & Deena Kuranda):  This interactive workshop provides participants with a comprehensive overview of problem-solving courts, including their purpose, core principles, and evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for individuals involved in the justice system.  Attendees will explore the collaborative, multidisciplinary approach that distinguishes problem-solving courts from traditional court models and examine the roles of key stakeholders throughout the process. The second half of the workshop focuses on role-specific training, allowing participants to gain practical knowledge and skills tailored to their responsibilities within the problem-solving court team.  Judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, treatment providers, probation officers, coordinators, law enforcement and other team members wills strengthen their understanding of their unique roles while learning strategies to enhance collaboration, communication, and fidelity to best practices.
• Implementing a Child First Approach to Juvenile Justice (Kelvin Dougherty): This workshop will discuss how Northern Ireland changed  the direction of their youth justice services by implementing a Child First Model. It will discuss what a Child First Model is and how they implemented this model in their country. What were the barriers, successes, etc. and how is it working.

Break  10:00- 10:15 a.m.

Workshops 10:15-11:45 a.m.  (1 1/2 hour sessions)

• Restorative Justice Practical-Adult Probation Officers  repeat session
• Use of Evidence-Based Practices with Specialized Populations (Becky Self &Kristen Garfield-Gentile): Core Correctional Practices (CCP) have been shown to improve client engagement, increase motivation for change, and reduce recidivism when implemented with fidelity. While the foundational CCP skills remain the same, effective implementation requires officers to adapt their communication, coaching, and intervention strategies to meet the unique responsivity needs of different populations.  This course provides probation and court services professionals with practical strategies for applying Core Correctional Practices when supervising specialized populations, including justice-involved individuals with serious mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, individuals convicted of sexual offenses, domestic violence offenders, DUI offenders, and juveniles on probation. Participants will examine the unique criminogenic risks, responsivity factors, communication barriers, and supervision challenges associated with each population while maintaining fidelity to evidence-based practices.
• Ireland’s Restorative Justice Model  (Kelvin Dougherty): This workshop will discuss Northern Ireland’s Restorative Justice Approach which is mandated by statute for child offenders. What does Restorative Justice look like when utilized across all disciplines of the youth justice system, including law enforcement, prosecutors, youth agencies, probation, defense attorneys and judges.
• Crisis Center (Deborah Conroy; Lori Carnahan; Kathy Carey; Jennifer Hess): For those working in probation, pretrial, law enforcement, or behavioral health, the connection between mental health, substance use, and the justice system is all too familiar. But what if there were another place to turn? Somewhere people could get help before a crisis leads to an arrest, a court case, an emergency department visit, or something more serious?  This panel conversation will explore the journey of the DuPage Crisis Recovery Center (CRC), from an emerging community priority to a collaborative reality. Panelists will share how the vision for a 24/7 crisis response took shape, how community and health partners worked together to bring that vision to life, and what it took to turn a good idea into an actual front door for people experiencing mental health or substance use crises.  The conversation will highlight the CRC’s role in providing immediate stabilization, compassionate support, and connections to longer-term care. It will also explore the justice system’s role as an important customer and beneficiary of the CRC, including how access to an effective behavioral health response can create alternatives to justice system involvement and support better outcomes for individuals who do become involved in the system.  The panel will take a closer look at what the CRC means for those working in the justice system. How can probation and pretrial professionals use the CRC as a resource for the people they serve? Can connecting someone to the right help at the right time prevent deeper involvement in the justice system? And for those already involved, can the CRC provide the support and stability needed to move forward?Panelists will share what worked, what they learned along the way, the challenges they encountered, and perhaps a few of those “How are we actually going to make this work?” moments that come with trying something new.Most importantly, this will be a conversation about what can happen when a community recognizes a shared need, brings the right partners to the table, and builds a response that serves individuals and families experiencing mental health and substance use crises.

Workshops 10:45 a.m.-11.45 a.m. (1 hour sessions)

• Every Journey Begins with First Steps:  Creating a Professional Development Continuum in Community Corrections (Linda O’Brien):  From the first day on the job to the first day in leadership, employee development should be intentional-no incidental.  This interactive workshop explores how one probation department transformed a structured onboarding pilot program into a comprehensive professional development continuum.  Participants will learn how the Probation Promenade evolved into a framework that supports employees through onboarding, the critical first year, new supervisor development, and emerging leadership.  Through practical examples, pilot outcomes, and interactive discussion, attendees will leave with scalable strategies to strengthen retention, engagement, succession planning, and organizational culture within their own agencies.

• Probation Forward:  Innovation, Transformation & the Future of Practice (Melissa Spooner):
  Probation is evolving—and departments across Illinois have an opportunity to help shape what comes next. Probation Forward is an interactive symposium focused on innovation and transformation in detention and adult/juvenile probation practice. Together, we will explore emerging national practices, promising approaches, and real-world examples of transformation already underway. Participants will have opportunities to connect with colleagues from across Illinois, share what is happening in their own departments, and learn from the successes, challenges, and ideas of others.  This symposium is designed to move beyond simply talking about change. Through engaging discussions and shared learning, participants will examine how probation can continue to strengthen practice, challenge traditional approaches, respond to the needs of the people and communities we serve, and build systems that are more effective, equitable, and forward-looking. Come ready to learn, share, challenge assumptions, and leave with new ideas that can help move probation forward in 2026 and beyond.

Lunch Provided 12:00 – 1:30

PLEASE NOTE:  Workshop lengths have changed.  We have added 2 hour and 1 hour sessions. When making selections, please ensure times do not overlap and that you have chosen a total of 3 training credit hours for the afternoon sessions. 

Workshops 1:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m. (3 hour session)

• Let’s Be Safe – repeat session
• Hearing Voices (Session limited to 25 participants)(Rachel Rubino; Bill Rabulinski; Kim Johnson):  The Hearing Distressing Voices Simulation is a groundbreaking, empathy-building experience that helps students, mental health professionals and first responders understand the challenges and strengths of people who experience psychosis.

Workshops 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. (2 hour session)

• Field Visits-Philosophy and Purpose Repeat Session

Workshops 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. (1 1/2 hour sessions)

• Understanding the Past, Rebuilding the Future (Reclaim 13):  Child sexual abuse is linked to further abuse, trafficking, and criminal involvement. Understanding the traumatic impact of sexual violations and vulnerabilities to further harm is the essence of developing a trauma-informed, developmentally-sensitive approach to helping survivors rebuild their lives.
• Integrating a Brain Injury Approach to Support Clients and Improve Supervision Outcomes (Tim McGavin):  In a previous workshop (Spring Conference), attendees learned about the prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the criminal justice system and how agencies can screen for TBI.  This workshop will focus on strategies to effectively engage and work with a client impacted by TBI.  A quick review  of items previously covered will be followed by practical steps officers can take with clients including use of Motivational Interviewing through a brain injury lens.
• Restorative Justice Practical-Juvenile Probation Officers (Amanda Carrasco):  This workshop will explore restorative justice applications specific to juvenile offenders and the unique challenge and advantages that come with this subgroup in probationary services. 

Break 3:00 – 3:15 p.m.

Workshops 3:15 p.m.-4:45 p.m. (1 1/2 hour sessions)

• Integrating a Brain Injury Approach to Support Clients and Improve Supervision Outcomes-repeat session
• Restorative Justice Practical-Juvenile Probation Officers repeat session
• How Probation & Detention can work Collaboratively Together to Create a Connected System of Care (Becky Self &Kristen Garfield-Gentile): Youth involved in the juvenile justice system often experience multiple transitions between detention and community supervision. When detention officers and juvenile probation officers operate as a coordinated team rather than separate systems, youth receive more consistent expectations, stronger support, and better opportunities for long-term success. This interactive training explores how both roles can work collaboratively to create a seamless continuum of care that promotes positive youth development, accountability, skill building, and successful community reintegration. Participants will examine the unique responsibilities of detention and probation staff while identifying opportunities to improve communication, information sharing, case planning, behavioral interventions, and family engagement.

Workshops 3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m. (1 hour sessions)

• Probation Forward:  Innovation, Transformation & the Future of Practice  Repeat Session  (Melissa Spooner)
• Every Journey Begins with First Steps:  Creating a Professional Development Continuum in Community Corrections   Repeat session (Linda O’Brien)

 All workshops at this conference are COPE approved.  

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Social Hour

7:00 -10:00 p.m.  Annual Awards Banquet & Ceremony

Award nomination period July 1, 2026-September 15, 2026.

Submit your nomination HERE!

Friday, October 30, 2026 

9:00 a.m.      Business Meeting 

2026 Executive Board Election

Vote HERE!

Voting closes 12:00 p.m. October 29, 2026

Results announced at the Business Meeting

IPCSA HAS GONE CASHLESS! 

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Merchandise sales, Raffle sales, 50/50 sales are cashless.  We will offer VENMO for your convenience.  
2. Drink purchases at evening events require cash only! (ATM available on site).

Early Bird Registration Rates (rates increase September 25th, 2026)

Ticket Options:

Full Registration:  $375.00 member; $435.00 non-member (includes all conference activities.  Lunch and afternoon breaks provided on Wednesday and Thursday; Appetizers provided at Wednesday evening event; Dinner provided Thursday evening; Breakfast provided  Friday morning).

Wednesday Only Registration:  $255 member; $315 non-member (Includes lunch, workshops and Wednesday evening event).

Thursday Only Registration: $325 member; $385 non-member (Includes lunch, workshops, Social Hour, Awards Banquet and Friday morning breakfast).

Presenter Rates: $255 member; $315 non member (includes attendance of the full conference.  If you will not be attending the full conference, your registration for the day you are presenting is waived and no further registration is required)

Board Member Rates:  $187.50

Leadership Academy Student Rates:  $275.00 (includes attendance of full conference.  If you are not attending the full conference, and only participating in the academy on Tuesday, there is no fee but registration is required using the Academy Student-Tuesday only ticket option-lunch provided)

Student Registration (i.e. department interns): $50.00 includes committee meetings, lunch, break and workshops on Wednesday only.

A la carte:  Wednesday Lunch $42.00; Wednesday Evening Event $75.00; Thursday Lunch $57.00; Thursday Evening Events $95.00

Registration Now Open! 

Registration is a 2 step process:

1. Order tickets using the ticket options listed below; AND
2. Complete the Conference  Itinerary Form using the provided link: Open Form Here!

Registration is incomplete until both steps are accomplished!

Conference Registration deadline:  October 9, 2026

No refunds for cancellations made after October 9, 2026