CDCR holds first Impact Award ceremony

March 14, 2025

CDCR honored employees with the first Impact Award ceremony held at the department’s Advanced Learning Institute in Sacramento.

“The Impact Award, presented by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST), recognizes employees for their significant contributions, showcasing innovation, effectiveness, creativity and dedication to the welfare of CDCR employees,” said CDCR CPOST Capt. Kelly Rainwater. “This prestigious award is presented to the individuals who demonstrate initiative in developing and implementing training programs that foster personal growth and enhances the performance of all CDCR correctional peace officer classifications, while establishing collaboration and trust between all disciplines.”

Two categories were introduced for the Impact Award: Group and Individual.

The nominees for the Impact Award are assigned to various classifications and disciplines throughout the state. Family, friends, and colleagues gathered in December 2024 to support their nominees.

Group Impact Award

California Correctional Peace Officer Association (CCPOA) Executive Vice President Neil Flood acknowledged the Group Impact Award winners and nominees.

Group Impact Award Honorees:

Office of Correctional Safety (OCS) – Investigative Training Unit (ITU) – Basic Investigator Course Training and Creation of the Investigative Services Unit Manual

Group Nominees:

Office of Employee Wellness – Staff Suicide Awareness Training
Galt Correctional Training Center – Institutional Reality Based Training (IRBT) Modules 1 and 2
Galt Correctional Training Center – Curriculum Implementation of the “R” in the CDCR Experience Module 3
California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) – Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT) Creation of the Peer Support Specialist Program

Flood welcomed the OCS Investigative Training Unit Team to the stage to receive their award.

“This team created training and supporting documentation to ensure staff have access to consistent and current training expectations. These efforts to develop and implement standardized training on this topic prioritize staff wellness through preparation,” Flood said. “All topics taught in the training contribute to improving the overall well-being and performance of CDCR peace officers by increasing confidence in their assignments.”

Individual Impact Award

Following OCS receiving the Group Impact Award, CDCR Undersecretary Jennifer Barretto introduced the Individual Impact Award honoree and nominees.

“This award recognizes the individual who has made an exceptional and impactful contribution to CDCR Peace Officer Training and Development in 2024,” said Barretto.

Individual Impact Award Honoree:

Correctional Sgt. Ana Luna, Correctional Training Facility (CTF)

Individual Impact Award Nominees:

Correctional Sergeant Javier Perales, Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP)
Associate Warden Pedro Chanelo, North Kern State Prison (NKSP)

Sgt. Luna receives award

Individual Impact Award with a sergeant and undersecretary. — Undersecretary Jennifer Baretto, left, with Sgt. Ana Luna.

Undersecretary Barretto took the stage and highlighted Sgt. Luna’s efforts in creating a “High Risk Transportation Training” for newly sworn correctional officers reporting to CTF from the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in Galt.

“The training promotes positive communication and improving working conditions for staff and the incarcerated,” Barretto said.

After a video of the training was shown, Barretto continued.

“This video demonstrates where we are headed in this organization and your leadership and what you’re doing is exactly what we’re looking for,” she said.

Luna received her award and acknowledged CTF Warden Borla, the CTF In-Service Training Team and countless others who assisted with the training.

“This recognition is as much yours as it is mine. This achievement is a product of our collaboration and with all your dedication it simply wouldn’t have been possible,” Luna said. “There’s still so much to be done and I am more motivated than ever to continue pushing forward, learning and striving continuously to make a positive impact on all the new officers coming in. I’m truly grateful. Thank you.”