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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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    Thinking for a Change
    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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  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.
          Is there a Copyright on the Thinking for a Change Program?
  **Published:** 2020-09-02**Thinking for a Change is copyrighted by its authors Jack Bush, PhD, Barry Glick, PhD, and Juliana Taymans, PhD, with certain rights retained by NIC.**

The National Institute of Corrections reserves the right to reproduce, publish, translate, or otherwise use, and to authorize others to publish and use all or part of the copyrighted material contained in this publication for any federal government purposes. Parties other than NIC are not authorized to sell or use these copyrighted materials for commercial gain except with the explicit permission of the authors.

For more information, see NIC's Copyright page at https://nicic.gov/copyright.
          Does NIC offer a Thinking for A Change Certified Facilitator credential?
  **Published:** 2020-09-02No, NIC does not currently offer a Certified Facilitator Credential.
          I'm a trained facilitator who has conducted lots of Thinking for A Change groups. Can I train other staff in my agency to facilitate Thinking for a Change?
  **Published:** 2020-09-02No, NIC recommends that facilitators complete a Thinking for a Change train the trainer program before they train others. Program fidelity and integrity are critical to T4C program success so it is important that staff are qualified to train other trainers.
          Where can I find more information on T4C Training for Trainers?
  **Published:** 2024-01-31Applications for Thinking for a Change – Training for Trainers 2024 Now OpenThe National Institute of Corrections offersThinking for a Change Training for Trainersto qualified criminal justice professionals or qualifying government contractors. NIC does not offer training to private or non-profit organizations. This year's T4T is a 73-hour blended learning event with 5 weeks of interactive online training culminating with three and half days of on-site training at the National Institute of Corrections - Training Academy in Aurora, CO.Blended Learning Experience (Online Learning & Face to Face Learning) Online Learning: The virtual instructor led training (VILT) sessions will be on Mondays and Thursdays:April 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29, May 2, 9.Face to Face Learning: The 3 and half day instructor led training (ILT) will be Monday through Thursday, May 13-16 @ National Corrections Academy, Aurora, CO.Click here to view the Sample Agenda on the bottom of the page for more detailed information on training agenda. Training is subject to cancellation if funding is unavailable.Below are the course pre-requisites:Applicants must be employed by or contracted with a governmental corrections agency.Application requires establishment of teams of at least two eligible candidates (max of 3). NIC will only accept one application per agency.Each applicant must also provide the following:Proof of 32 hours of T4C Facilitator Training,Verification of delivery of two full rounds of T4C with correctional clients,A 5-minute video demonstrating T4C facilitation skills and curriculum knowledgeApproval letter signed by your Agency CEO.*Please note: Thinking for a Change Training for Trainers offered by NIC is at no cost to register. This is a NIC hosted event, therefore NIC will cover the cost for airline travel, and reimburse each participant for all other travel, lodging, and per diem costs. However, participants will be responsible for the costs associated with printing their training manual and intersession assignments. NIC recommends that a minimum of two staff members register from each interested agency.*Please Click Hereto apply for the Thinking for a Change - Training for Trainers. The deadline is March 1, 2024.
          When and where will NIC offer Thinking for a Change facilitator training?
  **Published:** 2024-01-31**Where can I find more information on T4C Training for Trainers?****Published:**2024-01-31Applications for Thinking for a Change – Training for Trainers 2024 Now OpenThe National Institute of Corrections offersThinking for a Change Training for Trainersto qualified criminal justice professionals or qualifying government contractors. NIC does not offer training to private or non-profit organizations. This year's T4T is a 73-hour blended learning event with 5 weeks of interactive online training culminating with three and half days of on-site training at the National Institute of Corrections - Training Academy in Aurora, CO.Blended Learning Experience (Online Learning & Face to Face Learning) Online Learning: The virtual instructor led training (VILT) sessions will be on Mondays and Thursdays:April 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29, May 2, 9.Face to Face Learning: The 3 and half day instructor led training (ILT) will be Monday through Thursday, May 13-16 @ National Corrections Academy, Aurora, CO.Click here to view the Sample Agenda on the bottom of the page for more detailed information on training agenda. Training is subject to cancellation if funding is unavailable.Below are the course pre-requisites:Applicants must be employed by or contracted with a governmental corrections agency.Application requires establishment of teams of at least two eligible candidates (max of 3). NIC will only accept one application per agency.Each applicant must also provide the following:Proof of 32 hours of T4C Facilitator Training,Verification of delivery of two full rounds of T4C with correctional clients,A 5-minute video demonstrating T4C facilitation skills and curriculum knowledgeApproval letter signed by your Agency CEO.*Please note: Thinking for a Change Training for Trainers offered by NIC is at no cost to register. This is a NIC hosted event, therefore NIC will cover the cost for airline travel, and reimburse each participant for all other travel, lodging, and per diem costs. However, participants will be responsible for the costs associated with printing their training manual and intersession assignments. NIC recommends that a minimum of two staff members register from each interested agency.*Please Click Hereto apply for the Thinking for a Change - Training for Trainers. The deadline is March 1, 2024.
          How does NIC offer Thinking for a Change Facilitator Training?
  **Published:** 2020-09-02NIC offers the Thinking for a Change Facilitator Training to correctional agencies in a 44-hour blended learning experience. The program is provided in partnership with a corrections agency. The program includes:

6 Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) sessions
	Inter-Session Work (independent study/practice).
	1 Instructor Led Training (ILT) program.Typically, all event and activities are scheduled within a seven week timeframe. This allows participants to complete inter-session work between the VILTs and the ILT. The ILT portion of the training is conducted onsite at the corrections agency site.
          Is there a cost for the NIC Thinking For A Change Facilitator Training?
  **Published:** 2020-09-02There are no fees charged for NIC's Thinking For A Change Facilitator Training. However, when attending a Host Site sponsored event all travel, lodging, and per diem costs will be the responsibility of the participant’s agency. In addition, participants will be responsible for the costs associated with printing their training manual and intersession assignments. NIC recommends that two staff members register from each interested agency.
          I don't work for a government corrections organization, how can I access T4C Facilitator training?
  **Published:** 2020-09-02NIC only provides the facilitator training to governmental correctional agencies and is not able to include non-profit or private agencies or citizens in its training programs. However, if you work for a private provider of services to a government corrections organization (a jail, a prison or a community corrections organization (probation or parole agency), you may be eligible.

Your agency can request Thinking For A Change Facilitator Training from NIC directly, with a letter included from the agency CEO of the government corrections agency that your agency is statutorily required to provide services to and/or contractually provides services to, **endorsing your private provider of service organization request to NIC. This letter must accompany the request to NIC.**
          I received facilitator training on a previous version of Thinking For A Change, do I need additional training to use the 4.0 curriculum?
  **Published:** 2020-09-02If you have completed a formal Thinking for A Change facilitator training program from NIC, you can use the updated 4.0 curriculum without further training. There is no requirement for facilitators to take an additional course to use the updated version.
          Are there any best practice recommendations for delivery of the Thinking For A Change program to clients?
  **Published:** 2020-09-02Yes, program fidelity and integrity are critical to program success so it is important to follow the curriculum as designed. Following are some best practice recommendations:

Use two trained facilitators,
	Deliver two sessions each week,
	Target the right clients, these are medium- to high-risk offenders,
	Ensure that each client in the group has the opportunity to try every skill during the class,
	Ensure that clients complete the intersession homework
	Make sure all clients receive feedback.It is also important that the program be completed from beginning to end due to the integrated nature of the program.
          How do I rent eBooks through NIC's digital library?
  **Published:** 2022-02-02NIC has been building out a library of our publications. You can install the free Libby app to borrow and enjoy digital titles from our library on your tablet or smart phone. Visit your device’s app store or app.overdrive.com to get started. OverDrive is also available via all web browsers on devices, including computers (Windows and Mac).
Find and save our library’s OverDrive collection in the app. If accessing our collection via a web browser, visit our digital collection URL: https://nic.overdrive.com
Browse the collections or search for your next great read. Borrow or place a hold on a title. You’ll need an account on the NIC website to complete this step.
Borrowed titles will appear on your Loans page on the library’s OverDrive website.

From here, you can:

Download titles to the Bookshelf in the Libby app to read anytime anywhere.
	Read or Listen to some titles directly in your web browser without downloading.
	Borrowed titles will automatically return at the end of the lending period.
	You may also return titles early to free up space in your library account.
          Am I eligible to received research assistance?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01The NIC Information Center is a resource for **those working in the field of corrections**, and the assistance it provides (searching the library, locating resources, and providing referrals) is available at no cost.The Information Center is not staffed to provide legal advice, directly assist offenders/ex-offenders, or friends and family of offenders. Only limited support is available for students, educators, and consultants.
          If I can't get to NIC's physical library in Aurora, Colorado; how can I read materials the research experts recommend?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01In many cases, copies of the material can be sent or loaned to you. In other cases, we can send you copies of relevant portions of materials.
          How much does it cost to send me copies of materials from the library?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01There is no charge for having the NIC Information Center provide these materials, but there are some limitations on the quantity of hard copy materials that individuals or agencies can request at a single time. Our staff can provide specific information for you if you have questions about this policy.
          How long will it take to get an answer from the NIC Helpdesk?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01Most questions are answered within one business day, but we work hard to make sure that we answer all questions within 5 business days or less.
          When will my order of NIC products be delivered to me?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01In most cases, material is sent via US Postal mail and you should see it within 7-10 days. International and priority shipments will vary in shipping time. Items on backorder will be shipped as they become available.

**Note:** With our migration to a primarily digital catalogue, we have removed the Add to Cart button for any product that has been converted to a digital form (PDF, streaming audio or video). Only products that have not yet been converted are available for order. You can order physical NIC products by creating an account on our website and placing items in your cart.
          Where can I find additional copies of the travel/per diem form or fee voucher?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01The forms are available for download and duplication from our TRP Resources page.
          What is the phone number for the travel agency?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01Our current travel contractor is Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT). Listen carefully to the prompts. Press #1 for new reservations; press #1 again for NIC, which will allow you to speak with a travel agent.. You must have the program number ready to provide the travel agent. If CWT hasn’t received the authorization to book your flight, you may not be able make your reservation. Their phone number is 1-866-530-0062.

Contact the NIC staff person who is authorizing your travel if you have any questions.
          Can the travel agency assist me with car rental and hotel reservations?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01Yes, CWT can assist you with car rental and hotel reservations. If a credit card is required for the reservation, you will have to provide one to the agent. NIC does not pay these costs up front.
          Where do I claim expenses? Both forms (voucher and travel and per diem) have expenses listed.
  **Published:** 2017-10-01The voucher form covers your fees for preparation, travel, on site work, and report writing in addition to miscellaneous expenses, such as phone, secretarial duties, printing, and postage/shipping. The travel and per diem claim form covers any travel-related expense, such as baggage fees, parking, tolls, hotel, car rental, taxi or shuttle service, and gas. If you have expenses other than these please contact the NIC staff person who is authorizing your travel.
          Can I change my flight reservations to accommodate personal travel?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01If you want to change your travel arrangements to something other than those originally authorized, you must receive authorization from NIC. If the change is for personal travel, NIC is not permitted to authorize the changes (per federal travel regulations). You will need to make those changes directly with the airline once the tickets are issued. You are responsible for any costs related to the change.
          Where do I send my completed travel and per diem forms?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01Completed and signed travel forms, along with any documentation, must be emailed to NICTravel@bop.gov
          Where do I mail my completed voucher forms?
  **Published:** 2017-10-01Mail completed fee vouchers to the NIC office that coordinated with you for the work:**NIC Academy Division**,11900 E. Cornell Ave., Unit C,Aurora, CO 80014**NIC Prisons, Jails, Community Services, Research & Information Services, or Administration Divisions,** 320 First St. NW, Room 5002Washington, DC 20534

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