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                                    Frequently Asked Questions

      

                    
          
    Frequently Asked Questions
**If you're looking for FAQ's on a particular topic, please click on one of these buttons:**
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    Ask a new questionFAQ's are answers to Frequently Asked Questions asked about NIC's services and resources. Click on one of the titles to see the answer. We recommend using the search function to find what you're looking for and so that you're not endlessly scrolling for things that aren't relevant to your needs.Filter by Question
  
  
  

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  How Do I Find the NIC Learn Center?
  **Published:** The NIC Learn Center can be found here: https://learn.nicic.gov/Please bookmark this new url as this is the correct address and will not change.Thank you for your understanding and patience as we upgrade our online Learn Center.
          How much will requesting (technical) assistance cost my agency?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01NIC provides all its services free of charge. However, it is expected that the requesting agency provide access to staff, data, and anything else that will help us help you.
          What is Technical Assistance?
  **Published:** 2023-04-19Technical assistance or TA is a term used in education, government, and industry to mean “consultation.” NIC TA is short-term, no-cost help for agencies on a variety of issues.
          Who has to sign the technical assistance request letter?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01The CEO of your agency. For example, the Director of Corrections, the Sheriff, or County Administrator must sign the Request Assistance request letter.
          What kind of TA does NIC provide?
  **Published:** 2023-04-19NIC provides corrections agencies with a wide range of TA services including responding to critical incidents, assisting in problem-solving, as well as strategic or long-range planning, policy development, system mapping and other issues and topics.
          Do you give grants for equipment and training?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01NIC is not a funding agency. We do not provide you with a grant to purchase equipment or procure training. NIC does not provide funds directly to an agency. When we provide assistance, we fund the cost of consultants' travel and time.
          How is NIC’s TA work different from its training programs?
  **Published:** 2023-04-19Typically, an NIC TA engagement is a tailored response to a specific, limited need of a single requesting corrections agency. While some types of non-standard training may be delivered through TA, NIC’s training programs comprise standardized curricula that address a range of core correctional issues and are responsive to a range of corrections training needs.
          Who receives the technical assistance report?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01Both NIC and the agency representative who requested the technical assistance will receive a copy of the technical assistance report. The agency is free to distribute the report.

Upon delivery of the final Technical Assistance report to the agency that requested the assistance, the report becomes the property of that agency. The National Institute of Corrections will not distribute the report to non-NIC entities, or consider it an agency record under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), without the express, written approval of the agency.

**Learn More:** For more information about the Freedom of Information Act, visit **https://www.bop.gov/foia/#tabs-0**
          Is my agency eligible to receive TA from NIC?
  **Published:** 2023-04-19Any local, state, federal, or tribal corrections agency is eligible to receive TA services from NIC.
          Can NIC make a staffing analysis, population projection, and/or feasibility study for our agency?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01No, NIC cannot provide such services. These studies are very lengthy and complicated, and we do not have the resources to do them.

**What NIC can do** is assist your agency in building the capacity to conduct these analyses, on its own, through training and materials available through the NIC Information Center. We can also help you understand how to get funding to support these initiatives.
          Is NIC able to fulfill every request submitted for TA?
  **Published:** 2023-04-19Due to budget and staffing limitations, NIC cannot fulfill all the requests for TA it receives. However, NIC will review each TA request and will provide a response to the requesting agency. In cases where the request cannot be met, NIC strives to provide information about alternate resources that may be useful to the requestor.
          Does my agency pay for the TA?
  **Published:** 2023-04-19NIC’s TA services are paid for through funds provided to the agency by Congress to support the work of the agency. Typically, the requesting agency will be expected to provide meeting space, or other relevant information, and necessary access to facilities or agency staff.
          Can NIC pay for a keynote speaker at our conference?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01No, NIC cannot provide funding for keynote speakers at a conference. However, NIC can provide training at a conference, providing it meets our initiatives.
          Will I be required to sign a formal agreement before receiving TA?
  **Published:** 2023-04-19NIC’s TA application form and other paperwork to initiate a TA engagement will stipulate all the conditions regarding receiving TA services from NIC. For example, the expectations for the TA regarding when it will start, how long it will last, the level of agency support expected from the requestor, what services NIC will provide, and how the TA engagement will conclude may be included along with other information. Typically, the requesting agency is expected to complete a detailed assessment (and, in some cases, a follow up assessment) to discern the effect of the TA services.
          Will NIC will certify my jail?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01No, NIC does not certify jails, even with a court order. **NIC is not an investigatory or regulatory agency.** NIC’s interest is in determining how best you can provide detention services in your community in a manner that is safe for inmates, staff and the public.

Does the National Institute of Corrections certify jails?

No, the National Institute of Corrections does not certify jails because it isn't a regulatory agency nor is it investigatory agency. NIC does help jails improve their training, processes, and procedures to better serve their incarcerated individuals, staff, and community.
          How quickly will my agency receive TA?
  **Published:** 2023-04-19TA services can begin almost immediately depending on the services sought, the availability of NIC resources, the availability of the agency, and the urgency of the requestor’s need. In most cases, TA services begin within a few months of the request.
          Once TA has begun, what changes can be made?
  **Published:** 2023-04-19Occasionally, NIC begins a TA engagement with an agency only to discover that, due to changing circumstances, the services requested are not as originally planned. NIC maintains a flexible stance and a willingness to adjust each TA engagement to ensure that services provided meet the actual needs of the requesting agency and that NIC’s limited resources are used efficiently and effectively.
          Can I request more than one type of TA at the same time?
  **Published:** 2023-04-19Yes. Because NIC is committed to delivering TA that is tailored to your agency, we understand that there are times when you may need help with more than one issue. However, remember that each request is reviewed on its own merit and that your agency should be able to demonstrate its capacity to engage in multiple projects at the same time.
          If my agency has received TA in the past, can I submit additional requests for the same issue?
  **Published:** 2023-04-19Yes. However, NIC is committed to ensuring that any TA you receive will help build capacity in your agency. As with any other request, NIC will carefully review your information to determine the level of need and what our response will be.
          What to wear when attending NIC training events: Dress, Personal Supplies, & Luggage
  **Published:** 2017-10-01**A professional appearance is expected.** Business casual attire is required. (Example: Docker-type slacks with a collared, button shirt). **Not Acceptable for the classroom:** Athletic garb, cut-offs, shorts, T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweat pants, flip-flops, jeans, or sneakers. (Exceptions to this dress code will be made when they are appropriate for a particular event/day for a program. If this is the case, you will be given instructions in the information you receive for that program regarding exceptions to the dress code).
Since the classrooms are sometimes cool, it is advisable to bring a sweater with you. Colorado weather is quite variable, and from September through May, it is advisable to bring a winter jacket and boots. Check your weather app/channel for climate projections.
You should bring your own toiletries, athletic wear, swimming apparel, and other personal items, including alarm clocks. You will be given a 2" to 3" binder of materials to take home with you. Plan luggage space for it and possibly additional materials. We cannot mail your training materials to you.


NIC Training Academy WEATHER
//

Additional Links:Weather in Washington DC, Additional Links:Weather in Aurora Colorado
          How to travel to NIC Training Events
  **Published:** 2017-10-01Participants are authorized to travel by air, personal vehicle, government vehicle, or train.**Flights & Trains:****Participant’s airline/train tickets will be paid directly by NIC; participants will not be required to pay anything out of pocket.**Instructions on how to obtain airline tickets will be provided to participants in their information packet emailed out prior to the training event.**Driving to Training by Personal Vehicle**
Participants who wish to drive their personal vehicle to the training site must receive approval from the NIC Academy Division prior to their travel. Upon completion of the trip, they are eligible for reimbursement toward the cost of their travel. Reimbursement for travel will be the lesser of (1) the Government rate or special fare the Academy would have paid for the lowest cost common carrier (usually air travel), or (2) Privately Owned Vehicle mileage. The rate of mileage reimbursement for a personal vehicle will be set forth in the authorization form NIC will provide you if you intend to drive.**Driving to Training by Government Vehicle**
NIC is not able to reimburse mileage for driving a government-owned vehicle to the training.**Local Participants**
Participants from Colorado may travel by air or car to the training site. Those who live at least 50 miles from the training site will be reimbursed for mileage for one round trip between their home and the training site (regardless of the number of participants riding in the vehicle) if a personal vehicle is used and ground travel was authorized by NIC prior to the travel.
Participants living within a 50-mile radius of the training site are considered to be local and will not be reimbursed for mileage.
          Are Medical Services available at NIC's Training Academy?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01No medical services are provided at the training site. The NIC staff can assist you in making arrangements for any necessary medical treatment; however, any expense incurred for medical treatment is your responsibility.
          Points of Contact if someone needs to reach you at NIC's Training Center
  **Published:** 2017-10-01If you need to be reached while you are attending training, the phone number for the NIC Training Center is 800-995-6429 and dial "0" for the operator.
          What should I know about Ground Transportation around the NIC Training Center?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01**Participants will be reimbursed for travel between their home and the airport closest to their home as well as for parking expenses. All participant parking receipts must be submitted** with their reimbursement claim. The Federal governments’ personal vehicle mileage rate is $0.65 cents per mile (2023). If they choose to drive their personal vehicle, they will only be reimbursed up to the cost of the round trip flight at the federal government rate. We are unable to reimburse costs when an agency vehicle is driven.**NIC will also provide free, round trip transportation via coach bus between the hotel and training center on each day of the training.**

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