In this podcast series, the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) team explores the interconnectivity between brain injury, behavioral health, law enforcement, and the justice system. Through the episodes, the team interviews experts and discusses the prevalence, impacts, and best practices for law enforcement to engage in successful interactions with those living with brain injury and behavioral health conditions. Specific topics covered include:

• Prevalence of brain injury in behavioral health and the justice system
• Supporting productive communication between first responders and individuals with lived experience of brain injury
• Best practices for first responders and successful collaborations to support those at this intersection

Subject-matter experts and guest speakers include Dr. Kim Gorgens (University of Denver), Dr. Ivory Tubbs (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education), Dr. Charles Smith (former Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Region 8 Administrator), Corporal Jennifer Speith (Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Mental Health Agency), Anastasia Edmunston (Maryland Behavioral Health Administration), Cheryl Kempf (individual with lived experience), The Honorable Scott Cooper (Collaborative Courts, Orange County, California), Caitlin Synovec (National Health Care for the Homeless Council), Angela Klinenberger (individual with lived experience), Dr. Jaclyn Caccese (Ohio State University), Dr. Patricia Kay Reyna (researcher for family and caregiver interventions), and Deputy Josh Walters (Franklin County, Ohio, Sheriff’s Office).

Episode 3: Importance of Community Partnerships: Brain Injury in the Justice System and Responding to Special Populations

in this third episode of a four-part series, join us for a discussion with the Honorable Scott Cooper, a supervising judge of the Collaborative Courts in Orange County, California; Caitlin Synovec, Assistant Director of Medical Respite for the National Health Care for the Homeless Council and a National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) consultant; and Angela Klingenberger, an individual with experience of a brain injury and the justice system. We will explore the prevalence of brain injury among populations that are at risk for brain injury and justice involvement and how community collaborations and partnerships can create positive outcomes for these individuals.

Speakers’ Full Biographies 

• The Honorable Scott Cooper
  • The Honorable Scott Cooper is the supervising judge of the Collaborative Courts in Orange County, California. In that role, he presides over criminal courts that focus on defendants with mental health and substance use disorders.
• Caitlin Synovec
  • Caitlin Synovec is currently the assistant director of medical respite for the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. She is an occupational therapist providing consultative services to national and state organizations. She has clinical experience in working with adults experiencing homelessness to improve quality of life and engagement in their preferred communities. Ms. Synovec has studied and developed clinical and program resources to address the intersection of homelessness, poverty, traumatic brain injury, and mental health, and their impact on health and community living.
• Angela Klingenberger
  • Angela Klingenberger is a person with lived experience of brain injury and involvement in the criminal legal system, having unique insights shaped by her personal journey. Ms. Klingenberger offers a profound glimpse into the complexities of navigating both brain injury and legal systems, enriching discussions as systems look to improve outcomes for people with brain injuries.

Resources and Links

• NASHIA Behavioral Health Resource Library
• NASHIA Criminal Justice Resource Library
• Accommodating the Symptoms of TBI
• National Health Care for the Homeless Council

Additional Podcasts In This Series

• Episode 1: Connecting Brain Injury, Substance Use, and the Criminal Justice System—https://cossup.org/ResourceLibrary/Details/b36127ac-0010-48bf-933a-14fb940ec976
• Episode 2: Supporting Productive Communication: Tips for First Responders to Identify Brain Injury and Deflecting Arrest—https://cossup.org/ResourceLibrary/Details/25a4693b-451d-43b0-ab85-d898d502b3cf
• Episode 4: Supporting First Responders: Emerging Considerations and Best Practices for Those Who Have Experienced a Brain Injury—https://cossup.org/ResourceLibrary/Details/e5ac3dd9-6968-458c-91f0-7f16aa3b5c83