Level 1 Academy Training


Learning Modes

Training for corrections staff is offered through three learning modes:

  • Online through MoLearning, powered by LinkedIn Learning
  • Online through the Department of Corrections Online Training Academy (DOCOTA)
  • In seat at a training center location

Fiscal Year 2022 Level 1 Requirements

The following courses must be completed by staff in job classes requiring Level 1 Academy training.

  • How to Use LinkedIn Learning   -   MoLearning
  • ENGAGE 2.0 Team Member Training   -   MoLearning
  • Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)   -   DOCOTA
  • Principles of Professional Boundaries   -   DOCOTA
  • Principles of Contraband   -   DOCOTA
  • Principles of Motivational Interviewing   -   DOCOTA
  • The Great Escape   -   DOCOTA
  • Mental Health for New Staff   -   DOCOTA
  • Self-Compassion for New Staff   -   DOCOTA
  • Reception, Orientation and the Missouri Reentry Program (MRP)   -   In seat
  • The Corrections Way   -   In seat
  • Motivational Interviewing    -   In seat
  • Addressing Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (ADHRUC)   -   In seat
  • Professional Boundaries   -   In seat
  • Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)   -   In seat
  • Suicide Prevention and Self-Care   -   In seat
  • Tactical Communication   -   In seat

How to Use LinkedIn Learning

A 43-minute overview on how to navigate MO Learning and LinkedIn Learning.

ENGAGE 2.0 Team Member Training

A 22-minute overview of ENGAGE, State of Missouri’s approach to professional development. ENGAGE brings supervisors and team members together monthly to have meaningful professional development conversations. MoLearning

Crisis Intervention Team

An introductory overview of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. DOCOTA

Principles of Professional Boundaries

This course provides a foundation for identifying and setting professional boundaries. This course is followed by the in-seat course Professional Boundaries.

Principles of Contraband

This course provides foundational knowledge for defining contraband and training staff on the rules related to contraband.

Principles of Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing (MI) has gained ground as best practice in the criminal justice field. This course provides foundational knowledge in motivational interviewing (MI). This course is followed by the in-seat course Motivational Interviewing.

The Great Escape

This interactive online module provides information on contraband and where it falls within the Offender Rule Book.

Mental Health for New Staff

This course starts the learning process for gaining basic mental health knowledge.

Self-Compassion for New Staff

This course is a starting point for information on self-care.

Reception, Orientation and the Missouri Reentry Program (MRP)

This program guides new staff on training requirements and what to expect in training. It explores the department’s mission by providing a basic understanding of the Missouri Reentry Program (MRP), a collaborative effort with other state agencies and community partnerships.

The Corrections Way

This highly interactive course prepares and equips staff to identify, teach, model and reinforce critical leadership skills.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing (MI) has gained ground as best practice in the criminal justice field. This course trains students on effective ways to interact with offenders to motivate positive change. This course is follows the DOCOTA course Principles of Motivational Interviewing.

Addressing Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation & Unprofessional Conduct (ADHRUC)

This training class is for newly hired staff members and tenured non-supervisory staff members of the Department of Corrections and serves as an introduction to following standards of professionalism and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination harassment and retaliation.  This course defines harassment, discrimination, retaliation and unprofessional conduct and explains how to report such behavior.

Professional Boundaries

Setting and maintaining professional boundaries is the first line of defense in recognizing, preventing and reporting attempts to set up staff to commit unauthorized and/or illegal acts. This course also addresses ethical behavior and discrimination, harassment, retaliation and unprofessional conduct. This course follows the DOCOTA course Principles of Professional Boundaries.

Suicide Prevention and Self-Care

This module provides participants with basic information about suicides which occur in prisons. Participants explore the reasons for prison suicides and apply intervention/prevention strategies in situational activities.

Tactical Communication

This course encourages staff to seek peaceful and positive resolution to confrontation using empathy, professional integrity, and mediation. This kind of "conflict management" involves using posture and body language, tone of voice, and choice of words as a means for calming a potentially volatile situation before it can manifest into physical violence. Controlling responses to conflict, both mentally and emotionally, is key to applying tactical communication skills efficiently and appropriately.