Brain Links 2025 Training Series
Using Case Studies to Highlight Best Practice and Improve Outcomes in Brain Injury 
People are complicated. People with brain injury often seek treatment for multiple co-occurring needs, like substance use disorder, mental health, domestic violence and/or chronic pain. The brain injury must be properly identified, and symptoms must be accommodated to enable the person to fully benefit from support programs in these and other areas. Each session in this series will use case studies with different levels of injury, individual challenges and interactions with systems. We will also show how to apply existing tools when working to support the individual.
Thursdays 9-10:30 CST/10-11:30 EST
Feb 6 		Understanding Concussion and More Severe Brain Injury through Case Studies
March 13	Case Studies of Brain Injury with Co-Occurring Challenges: A Framework for Addressing Cognitive Changes
April 3	Case Studies of Psychosocial and Behavioral Changes after Brain Injury: Practical Recommendations

Part 1:  Understanding Concussion and More Severe Brain Injury through Case Studies
Part one of the series will use case studies to show how to identify the signs and symptoms of TBI and what can happen if injuries are not identified, treated and monitored over time. We will consider how treatment can be complicated by co-occurring diagnoses, what tools to use and how and when to use them. We will explain and utilize free educational resources designed for staff and the people they serve. 

Part 2:  Case Studies of Brain Injury with Co-Occurring Challenges: A Framework for Addressing Cognitive Changes
Part two of the series focuses on cases that highlight cognitive changes that may occur through brain injuries like stroke, infection, tumor and traumatic brain injuries. We will explore the how to identify what aspect of cognition is impacted and specific strategies or accommodations that can be used to help improve functioning and quality of life. We will show how to incorporate these strategies into support programs (mental health, domestic violence, substance use disorder, court directed, etc.) to improve participation and success. We will also talk the best ways to provide feedback.

Part 3:  Case Studies of Psychosocial and Behavioral Changes after Brain Injury: Practical Recommendations
Part three of the series uses case studies to highlight common behavioral and psychosocial changes following brain injury and developmental brain changes. Through cases, you will learn specific strategies to support people with these changes and how to analyze behavior from a cognitive-communication viewpoint. Techniques to avoid behavior escalation and key strategies to de-escalating a situation will be shared. We will show you the user-friendly tools to understand behavior and develop strategies that fit.
This series is designed for Service Providers across all Systems of Support including:
Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder, Domestic Violence, ACEs/Trauma, Child Abuse,
Chronic Pain, Homelessness, Criminal & Juvenile Justice.
Who Should Attend: Case Managers, In-home Service Providers, Counselors, Addiction Specialists,
Court Representatives, Program Administrators, Shelter Workers, Advocates, Teachers, Case Workers

Meet Our Speakers:
Wendy Ellmo MS CCC/SLP, BCNCDS, CBHP
Wendy Ellmo is a speech-language pathologist and Brain Injury Specialist for Brain Links. She is board certified in neurologic communication disorders and was the Clinical Service Supervisor for JFK Johnson’s Center for Head Injuries’ Cognitive Rehabilitation Department where she worked with people with brain injuries for twenty years. Part of a national group that developed practice guidelines for TBI and stroke, Wendy also authored a book of group treatment activities and an assessment battery for mild and moderate TBI. Wendy was an adjunct faculty member at Kean University, developing and teaching their first class on traumatic brain injury. Wendy is a certified brain health coach. She has served in many leadership roles, including President of the NJ Speech Language Hearing Association, and ultimately received their Honors of the Association Award for her distinguished service.

Jennifer Rayman Ed.S., CRC, CBIS
Jennifer Rayman is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist with Brain Links, a grant funded program of the Tennessee Disability Coalition, with over 20 years of experience in the disability field. Since 2003, she has supported people with brain injury (including concussion) and their families across the state. She enjoys developing and providing concussion and brain injury training to educators, healthcare professionals, families and others. Jennifer is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with an Education Specialist degree from The George Washington University where she studied Traumatic Brain Injury in students.

Brain Links boilerplate with these logos: Brain Links, Administration for Community Living, TBI State Partnership Program, TN Disability Coalition and Kid Central. Also the BL website tndisability.org/brain and Facebook name @BrainLinksTN.

12/2024