The Cognitive Change Institute is committed to sharing educational resources that support critical thinking, leadership, cognitive development, and evidence-informed practices within correctional settings.

Whether you are an educator, correctional professional, administrator, researcher, nonprofit organization, or community partner, our resources are designed to inspire innovation and strengthen educational opportunities.

As the Institute grows, this resource library will continue to expand with new curriculum materials, publications, research, and professional development opportunities.

Learn about the Cognitive Change Institute's signature decision-making model designed to strengthen critical thinking and purposeful decision-making.

Available Resources

• Overview Guide 
• Classroom Poster 
• Decision-Making Worksheet 
• Reflection Activities 
• Instructor Reference Guide 

Coming Soon

Supporting instructors who teach in correctional environments.

Resources include:

• Lesson Planning Templates 
• Classroom Facilitation Guides 
• Student Reflection Activities 
• Assessment Tools 
• Classroom Management Strategies 
• Instructor Best Practices 

Coming Soon

The Institute is committed to contributing to the advancement of correctional education through research and continuous program evaluation.

Future publications will include:

• Pilot Program Reports 
• Educational White Papers 
• Program Evaluations 
• Best Practice Guides 
• Annual Impact Reports 

Pilot Research Currently Underway

Educational opportunities designed for professionals working in correctional education and rehabilitation.

Future offerings include:

• Instructor Training 
• Curriculum Implementation Workshops 
• Leadership Development 
• Educational Conferences 
• Continuing Education Opportunities

Explore educational programs developed by the Cognitive Change Institute.

Current Programs

• Beyond the Moment™ 
• Beyond Conflict™ 
• Beyond Communication™ 
• Beyond Purpose & Reentry™ 
• B.E.Y.O.N.D. Leadership™ 

Additional curricula are currently in development.

Stay informed about new initiatives, pilot programs, partnerships, research findings, and Institute updates.

Latest Topics

• Program Announcements 
• Educational Innovation 
• Research Updates 
• Partner Spotlights 
• Success Stories 

We believe meaningful change happens through collaboration.

Correctional agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and community partners can access implementation guides, partnership information, and support materials designed to help bring Cognitive Change Institute programs to new audiences.

Education transforms lives—and collaboration strengthens that impact.

Sign up to receive Institute updates, research publications, new educational resources, and announcements about upcoming programs and professional development opportunities.

Stay Connected. Keep Learning. Continue Growing.

The Cognitive Change Institute believes that meaningful transformation is strengthened through collaboration. Across the United States, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, correctional agencies, and community partners are developing innovative programs that support personal growth, family relationships, workforce readiness, recovery, and successful community reintegration.

The organizations below represent a selection of nationally recognized resources available to correctional professionals, incarcerated individuals, and reentry providers. While these organizations operate independently of the Cognitive Change Institute, we recognize their valuable contributions to correctional education and rehabilitation.

Developed by the National Fatherhood Initiative, InsideOut Dad® is one of the nation's leading evidence-based parenting programs designed specifically for incarcerated fathers. The curriculum focuses on responsible fatherhood, healthy relationships, communication, child development, and strengthening family connections before and after release.

Focus Areas

• Responsible fatherhood 
• Healthy relationships 
• Child development 
• Family reunification

Various correctional systems partner with nonprofit organizations to provide parenting education, family engagement opportunities, and programs that strengthen bonds between incarcerated mothers and their children.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are offered in correctional facilities across the country through volunteer-led recovery groups. AA provides peer support for individuals working toward recovery from alcohol addiction through its Twelve-Step program.

Narcotics Anonymous supports individuals recovering from substance use disorders by promoting accountability, peer support, and lifelong recovery.

A faith-based recovery program offered in many correctional facilities focusing on addiction, trauma, and life challenges.

Correctional wellness initiatives increasingly focus on developing resilience, stress management, emotional intelligence, and healthy coping strategies.

Common offerings include:

• Mindfulness 
• Yoga 
• Meditation 
• Peer support 
• Trauma-informed programming 
• Emotional wellness education 

Many correctional facilities provide specialized services for incarcerated veterans through partnerships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and local veteran service organizations.

Programs may include:

• Benefits assistance 
• Mental health services 
• Housing support 
• Employment resources 
• Peer mentoring

Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an internationally recognized learning model that connects professionals through virtual communities of practice. The model expands access to specialized knowledge through collaboration, mentorship, and case-based learning.

Project ECHO has been adapted to support correctional healthcare, behavioral health, education, and workforce development initiatives.

https://projectecho.unm.edu/story/how-echo-is-changing-the-outcome-for-new-mexicans-in-the-prison-system/ 

The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program brings college students and incarcerated students together to learn as peers in a shared classroom. Operating in correctional facilities worldwide, the program promotes dialogue, education, critical thinking, and mutual understanding through higher education.

https://www.insideoutcenter.org/

Financial education programs offered through correctional agencies and nonprofit organizations help participants develop practical skills in budgeting, banking, credit, debt management, and long-term financial planning.

Topics often include:

• Budgeting 
• Saving 
• Banking 
• Credit 
• Identity protection 
• Employment finances

Check out "Money Matters: A Beginning Guide to Financial Freedom After Incarceration"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP3N6PVB?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Many correctional facilities partner with colleges and universities to provide incarcerated students with opportunities to earn college credits, certificates, and degrees that support lifelong learning and successful reentry.

https://www.ashland.edu/correctional-education

Goodwill offers workforce development, job readiness training, career coaching, and employment services for justice-involved individuals returning to their communities.

https://www.goodwill.org/blog/career-and-financial-advice/finding-a-job-with-a-criminal-background/

Across the United States, nonprofit organizations and employers provide training, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities designed to reduce barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals entering the workforce.

Empowering Justice-Involved Individuals Through Entrepreneurship

Inmates to Entrepreneurs® is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people with criminal backgrounds build successful businesses through practical entrepreneurship education. Founded in 1992, the organization is one of the longest-running entrepreneurship programs focused specifically on justice-involved individuals. Its mission is to reduce recidivism by creating pathways to financial independence and long-term economic opportunity through small business ownership. 

The organization's flagship Eight-Week Course is offered free of charge and is designed for individuals with a criminal background who have started—or are interested in starting—a small business. The curriculum provides practical instruction on topics such as business planning, marketing, sales, customer service, financial management, and business operations. Rather than providing startup funding or loans, the program emphasizes how to build and grow businesses with minimal capital through sound business practices and entrepreneurial thinking. 

In addition to its eight-week course, Inmates to Entrepreneurs offers self-paced online learning, correctional facility boot camps, virtual workshops, and educational media designed to make entrepreneurship accessible to individuals both during incarceration and after release. The organization also partners with correctional facilities to deliver entrepreneurship education directly to incarcerated populations through in-person and virtual programming. 

https://inmatestoentrepreneurs.org/

Prison Fellowship is the nation's largest Christian nonprofit serving incarcerated individuals, formerly incarcerated people, and their families. Through in-prison programs, reentry support, family services, and criminal justice advocacy, the organization works to restore lives by promoting hope, personal transformation, and successful reintegration into society. Prison Fellowship partners with correctional institutions, churches, and communities to foster dignity, accountability, and lasting positive change

https://www.prisonfellowship.org/

Hope Gives Back is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals and families through compassionate support, practical resources, and community engagement. By connecting people with essential services and opportunities, the organization helps foster resilience, restore hope, and encourage long-term personal growth. Their mission emphasizes strengthening communities by helping individuals overcome challenges and build brighter futures through meaningful partnerships and service.

https://hopegivesback.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22157343329&gbraid=0AAAAADjlQtuIomRl8x2XkX4LQevNjlmy6&gclid=Cj0KCQjwg5zTBhCLARIsAP2AFU4k_xbJBD6R1C5sq9VmaKhAfVSCjkjgl3Dts4KGhCClfKKHg09YKusaAqwBEALw_wcB

The field of correctional education continues to evolve through collaboration among educators, correctional agencies, nonprofits, universities, faith-based organizations, and community partners.

If your organization offers innovative educational or reentry programming that aligns with the mission of the Cognitive Change Institute, we welcome opportunities to learn more and explore future collaboration.

We believe meaningful change happens through collaboration.

Correctional agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and community partners can access implementation guides, partnership information, and support materials designed to help bring Cognitive Change Institute programs to new audiences.

Education transforms lives—and collaboration strengthens that impact.

Sign up to receive Institute updates, research publications, new educational resources, and announcements about upcoming programs and professional development opportunities.

Stay Connected. Keep Learning. Continue Growing.