December 2025

Volume 6, Issue 2

From the Desk of the President...

Hello, MAWD Members!

As the 2025 calendar year comes to a close, I just want to say thank you from all of us here at MAWD. Your continued dedication to helping Missourians succeed does not go unnoticed and I am happy to be part of such a great group of professionals supporting the same mission.

At this point, you’ve started to receive communications regarding the annual MAWD Conference. This year we are hosting our conference at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield. With our new location we plan to provide some additional networking opportunities and professional development pre-conference sessions—stay tuned for ongoing updates. Additionally, we are currently collecting presentation proposals and are looking to you to apply! To submit your proposal visit the MAWD website and click on the Request for Presentations banner; feel free to share the link with anyone you think would be great to have in attendance.

Your MAWD Board has been hard at work outside of conference planning and I am excited to announce a new partnership between MAWD and the National Association for Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP)! This partnership will provide two additional professional development learning opportunities to MAWD members, regardless of NAWDP membership, further increasing the benefit to you as a MAWD member.

We hope that you’ve taken the time to sit in on the professional opportunities provided to date. Our next scheduled session is scheduled for February 4, 2026, at 2 PM: “Balancing Leadership and Well-Being,” with Ophelia Gill-Strickland. Register today!

Thanks again to all of you across the state. See you in 2026!

Donna Sheets

MAWD President

REGISTER for MAWD 2026 TODAY!

Get the group rate!

MAWD has partnered with NAWDP to provide a joint membership option to save you on the cost of association member fees!

2025 Reentry Conference

Department of Corrections in partnership with Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS), Department of Social Services (DSS) and Family and Community Trust (FACT) held the 21st annual Missouri Reentry Conference November 5-7th at Lodge of the Four Seasons, Lake of the Ozarks. Our theme for this year’s conference was “We are Reentry”. The conference sold out and drew 440 attendees. There were 28 general and breakout session offerings.

The Department of Corrections Reentry Simulations were of particular interest to attendees. We held a Lived Experience Panel and heard from panel members about the importance of state agencies in taking the lead with second chance employment. Two panel members were current state employees and were previously incarcerated. We also heard from their supervisory staff. In addition, another topic discussed was the importance of prioritizing one’s physical and mental health in the reentry process and identified resources that are available as well as the need for more resources and greater access.

Feedback from the conference was overwhelmingly position. SAVE THE DATES! The 2026 Missouri Reentry Conference will be held again at the Lodge of the Four Season November 4-7, 2026. We hope you join us!

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