National Curriculum and Training Institute

Our very own Lindsay Boyd was at MASCA 2026 spreading the word about Crossroads and Real Colors. There's nothing quite like getting out into the community, meeting new people, and hearing firsthand about the work happening in the field. These moments remind us why we love what we do. 💙🧡💛💚

Reusing workbooks might seem like a small cost-saving measure, but it comes at a price. The Crossroads curriculum is built on active participation, and that means pen to paper. When participants write, reflect, and respond in their own workbook, they're doing the cognitive work that drives real behavior change. A blank page invites ownership; a used one doesn't.

There's another reason to keep fresh workbooks in stock: participants take them home. When someone is struggling weeks after completing the program, that workbook is the resource they can reach back to. Their own words, their own commitments, their own progress. That only works if the workbook belongs to them from day one.

Make sure your supply is stocked before your next session.

Adult Workbooks: https://loom.ly/LTlHdQY

Youth Workbooks: https://loom.ly/cLC1b_4

Check in with yourself.

If you've ever walked out of a session feeling emotionally drained, you're not alone. Compassion fatigue is a real and common experience for those doing this work. Recognizing it early makes all the difference. This blog covers the warning signs and practical strategies to help Crossroads facilitators protect their well-being so they can keep doing what they do best.

READ MORE: https://loom.ly/5LFgCzw

Recognizing and Managing Compassion Fatigue as a Crossroads® Facilitator - NCTI As a certified Crossroads facilitator, you play a vital role in guiding justice-involved individuals toward positive behavioral change. While this work is deeply rewarding, it also presents unique emotional challenges. Working with participants who have experienced trauma, adversity, and setbacks ca...

We all know that one-way communication doesn't work for REAL behavior change. That's why the Crossroads curriculum isn't lecture-based, it's interactive.

Participants will put pen-to-paper for activities. They'll participate during group sessions. They will feel like an active participant in their learning.

Looking to learn more about Crossroads EBP? Email us at [email protected].

Or learn more here: https://loom.ly/p8aNV3o

An Evidence-Based Approach - NCTI Interactive Learning: The Key to Successful Behavior Change Our presentation techniques have been highly successful with adult and juvenile offenders in the Criminal Justice system. Programs are presented in an interactive, group format that includes such techniques as carefully sequenced questions,...

There is still time to register for the virtual Real Colors Workshop on May 27th!

The Real Colors Foundational Workshop is just part of what you get certified to deliver as a Crossroads and Real Colors Certified Facilitator. Experiencing this workshop for yourself can help you understand if Crossroads and Real Colors Certification is right for you!

Questions about this workshop? Email [email protected].

Register here: https://loom.ly/W6VjAGc

Virtual Real Colors Foundational Workshop - May 27, 2026 9am Pacific - NCTI Real Colors Foundational Workshop: Transform How You Connect With Others Communication can make or break our relationships, yet we rarely get the chance to learn how to do it better. That’s where Real Colors comes in. This isn’t just another personality test – it’s an immersive workshop that...

What if you had a person on your team completely dedicated to making sure your evidence-based programs are successful?

When you become a Crossroads and Real Colors Certified Facilitator, this kind of support is completely free. A real person, available to help you with programming ideas, troubleshooting, and even implementation.

You can talk to that person right now. Just reach out to us at [email protected].

Ready to register for June's virtual Certification Training? Go here: https://loom.ly/sYbwBdQ

Cognitive Certification Training - Virtual June 8 - 16, 2026 - NCTI Crossroads® facilitators are difference makers. Join our community of professionals who are invested in making a difference in the lives of others. Cognitive Certification Training is fast-paced and interactive. This course equips participants with the skills necessary to successfully facilitate NC...

We get this question all the time: do I need additional training to facilitate a new Crossroads Curriculum? The answer is no!

With a Crossroads and Real Colors Certification, you're certified to deliver:
- 12 Adult Programs
- 7 Youth Programs
- The Real Colors Foundational Workshop
- Real Colors advanced content, which includes 4 Advanced Modules and over 40 Keep Real Colors Alive activities

That's one of the reasons why Crossroads Certification is such an amazing value, the sheer volume of materials YOU are prepared to deliver upon certification.

Ready to discuss becoming a Crossroads and Real Colors Certified Facilitator? Reach out to us at [email protected].

Ready to register for our June virtual Certification Training? Here's the link: https://loom.ly/sYbwBdQ

Cognitive Certification Training - Virtual June 8 - 16, 2026 - NCTI Crossroads® facilitators are difference makers. Join our community of professionals who are invested in making a difference in the lives of others. Cognitive Certification Training is fast-paced and interactive. This course equips participants with the skills necessary to successfully facilitate NC...

"We've always done it that way." In community corrections, that phrase is unsustainable. Rising caseloads, officer burnout, and growing accountability demands are reshaping the field. Forward-thinking agencies are already adapting. Are you? Read this blog to see what's working and why the shift starts with skill-building, not just supervision.

READ MORE: https://loom.ly/CZITdyI

Breaking the Cycle: Why a Shift in Mindset is Key for Community Corrections Success - NCTI In both society and community supervision, one phrase has long been used to justify the status quo: “We’ve always done it that way.” While tradition can offer stability, real progress requires a willingness to rethink, adapt, and improve. Across industries, innovation has led to efficiency g*i...

Don't forget to send in your nominations for the 2026 NAPE Awards by June 5th! This is your opportunity to honor and recognize someone outstanding in our field. Awards will be presented at the annual NAPE luncheon in Chicago as part of the APPA Annual Institute.

Form to Nominate: https://forms.gle/Dib45JUzoUUzT2bc8

More Information: https://loom.ly/anxMpdk

NAPE - Award Nominations NOMINATIONS FOR 2026 AWARDS SOLICITED Nominations close June 5, 2026. The National Association of Probation Executives will be recognizing individuals who have contributed to the probation profession. Members of the Awards Committee are soliciting nominations for the following awards, to be presente...

One of the most important and most challenging skills in community corrections: building genuine trust with the people you supervise, without losing sight of your professional role.

It's not one or the other. The most effective justice professionals do both. They establish rapport, demonstrate consistency, and create space for honest conversation while staying grounded in clear expectations and ethical practice.

We've put together a practical read on exactly that: evidence-based strategies for building trust while maintaining appropriate boundaries, and how a structured curriculum like Crossroads can support that balance.

If you work in probation, supervision, or community corrections, this one's for you. Share with your colleagues, you never know who you could be helping!

https://loom.ly/kQdjJYI

Professional, Not Personal: Building Trust While Holding Boundaries - NCTI Trust forms the essential foundation of effective probation supervision. When individuals under supervision trust their probation officers, they become more likely to genuinely engage with the process, fulfill their requirements, and actively work toward positive behavior change. This trusting relat...