Session Description

NDTAC presented at this year's 80th CEA International Conference & Training Event in Bellevue, Washington on August 2–5, 2026. Our presentation was titled "Bridge the Gap: Unlock Title I, Part D for Youth Transition Services".

Youth leaving juvenile detention and correctional facilities face a critical moment: the transition back to school, work, and community. Yet Title I, Part D (TIPD), a federal funding stream available to juvenile detention centers and adult correctional facilities serving youth, remains an underutilized resource for transition services, specifically. This session introduced correctional educators and administrators to TIPD, covering how funds are generated and accessed and how facilities can align allowable expenditures with evidence-based transition strategies, from reentry planning and interagency coordination to post-release educational linkages and workforce readiness supports.

NDTAC put that knowledge to work with a "What would you fund?" activity where attendees identified their most pressing transition service gaps and explored how TIPD can help address them. NDTAC closed the session by connecting attendees to the network that can make it happen: their State TIPD coordinator and NDTAC, their direct line to that relationship.

Session Presenters

Kristine Chan, PhD MSW, coordinates the TIPD annual meeting and supports research and technical assistance resources. She serves as a subject matter expert focused on youth with dual systems involvement in child welfare and juvenile justice. Her work supports system-level reforms by centering youth and family experiences, enhancing cross-agency coordination, and promoting data-informed decision-making. 

Obioma Okogbue serves as the co-director and technical assistance specialist for NDTAC, where she provides direct consultation to state coordinators and the Department of Education Program Office. Obioma has served as a classroom teacher and administrative officer. She has collaborated with officials from state health and education agencies to strengthen their programs aimed at improving the lives of children and youth. Currently, she leads the NDTAC helpdesk, group technical assistance activities, and the development of TA activities and products.

Session Resources 

Bridge the Gap: Unlock Title I, Part D for Youth Transition Services