Kim Sterling, Author at NCCHC Resources

Stronger Together: Collaboration Reduces Adverse Events in Jails

Adverse events in correctional settings—suicide attempts, medical crises, delayed responses, preventable deaths—rarely stem from a single failure. More often, they arise from gaps between teams: unclear communication, mismatched priorities, or inconsistent practices. The encouraging reality is that every one of these risks can be reduced through intentional, structured collaboration between custody and health services. As […]

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NCCHC Resources Announces Board of Directors for 2026

The NCCHC Resources Board of Directors for 2026 is: Joseph Penn, MD, CCHP-MH, Chair and Treasurer James Martin, MPSA, CCHP, Secretary Jeffrey Alvarez, MD, CCHP-CP, CCHP-A Oscar Aviles, CJM, CCE, CCHP Aynsley Mull, JD Esmaeil Porsa, MD, MPH, CCHP-CP, CCHP-A Ralf Salke, BSN, RN, CCHP-A Aynsley Mull, JD, deputy chief legal officer with Centurion Health,

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CLA report Social Determinants of Health

Rethinking Success in Corrections: Beyond Recidivism

For decades, correctional systems have gauged success through recidivism rates—but what if that measure tells only part of the story? A report from the Correctional Leaders Association (CLA), led by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, challenges that long-standing approach and offers a data-driven alternative that connects correctional outcomes to public health. Social Determinants

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Reduce Risk & Improve Outcomes: New 2026 Mental Health Standards

NCCHC has released the 2026 edition of the Standards for Mental Health Services in Correctional Facilities—an important update that strengthens requirements for documentation, accountability, and best practices in correctional mental health care. The new Standards place increased focus on suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and treatment continuity, helping facilities deliver safer, higher-quality care. Facilities undergoing Mental

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Suicide Prevention: Taking Care of Correctional Health and Custody Professionals

As Suicide Prevention Month comes to a close, it’s important that we continue to keep the health and wellbeing of our friends, families, coworkers, and ourselves in mind. All too often, correctional health and custody professionals put others first in their personal and professional lives. With a call to serve, that makes perfect sense and

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Preparing for the 2026 Jail and Prison Health Standards: How NCCHC Resources Can Help

The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) has released the 2026 edition of the Standards for Health Services in Jails and Prisons, the leading framework for quality improvement and accreditation in correctional health care. Building on the 2018 editions, the new Standards introduce important enhancements—including expanded interpretive guidance and detailed documentation requirements—to help facilities

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Jail Renovation: Planning for Medical and Mental Health Operations

Many correctional institutions across the country have surpassed their intended 50-year lifespans. In a recent article in Correctional News, NCCHC Resources Managing Director Fred Meyer, MA, CJM, CCHP, and Lead Consultant Nancy Booth, MSN, RN, CCHP-RN, explore the unique challenges of planning for health care needs during facility renovations or new construction. Key Challenges Include:

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NCCHC Resources Hires New Project Manager

Due to continued growth, NCCHC Resources has hired Leah Fucile as a new project manager. Ms. Fucile brings over three decades of leadership in the public and private sectors to the position. She recently retired as Director of the Administrative Operations Bureau for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Ms. Fucile managed over $65 million

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Delivering Care Behind Bars: How Sick Call Reflects a System Under Pressure

By Nancy Pieraccini , MAT-C, CCHP-A In correctional facilities, access to health care often starts with a simple piece of paper—or an electronic message—known as a “sick slip” or “kite.” This formal request, submitted by an incarcerated individual, alerts health staff to a medical concern. Less formal but equally important are verbal requests made during

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10 Things Jail Commanders Care About More Than You Think: What Health Care Staff Should Know

We previously posted what custody should know about medical. Here’s the other side. When you work in correctional health, it’s easy to focus on your own team’s goals—getting through sick call, meeting mental health needs, documenting properly. But for jail commanders or other custody leaders, the job is different. They’re responsible for everything—security, operations, and

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