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 4: Supporting First Responders: Emerging Considerations and Best Practices for Those Who Have Experienced a Brain Injury

The last episode in our four-part series is focused on supporting first responders and law enforcement members who have personal experience with a brain injury. Joined by Dr. Jacyln Caccese, Assistant Professor in the Division of Athletic Training in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The Ohio State University; Dr. Kay Reyna, who is currently researching interventions and support for those with traumatic brain injury and their families; and Deputy Josh Walters of the Franklin County, Ohio, Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, we will discuss best practices and emerging considerations to support first responders, using trauma-informed approaches and integrated officer wellness.

Speakers’ Full Biographies 

• Dr. Jacyln Caccese
  • Jaclyn Caccese, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Division of Athletic Training in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The Ohio State University (Ohio State). She is also a member of Ohio State’s Interdisciplinary Chronic Brain Injury Program. She currently co-directs the Sport and Tactical Athlete Injury Resiliency Science (STAIRS) Lab at Ohio State, which aims to raise awareness, monitor, and enhance sport and tactical athlete brain health across the lifespan. Specifically, Dr. Caccese’s research focuses on repetitive head impacts and concussions in sport and tactical athletes.
• Dr. Patricia Kay Reyna
  • Patricia Kay Reyna, EdD, received her doctorate degree in education and organizational leadership from Grand Canyon University. She serves as a content expert for doctoral learners and is an adjunct professor, and she has a variety of education, nonprofit, health care, caregiving, and ministry experience. Dr. Reyna’s research interests include catastrophically injured law enforcement officers in the United States, including those with traumatic brain injury (TBI); prevalence of TBI among law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders; first responder suicide; and suicide prevention mediators, including hope. Her research interests also focus on interventions for caregivers providing care for persons with TBI.
• Deputy Josh Walters
  • Deputy Josh Walters is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where he majored in criminology and minored in coaching. He has worked with the Franklin County, Ohio, Sheriff’s Office since 2011 with 7 years in the patrol division and 4 years in corrections. Currently, Deputy Walters is on the SWAT team and helped create and has run its peer support team for the past 2 years.

Resources and Links

• NASHIA Behavioral Health Resource Library
• NASHIA Criminal Justice Resource Library
• Accommodating the Symptoms of TBI

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 3: Importance of Community Partnerships: Brain Injury in the Justice System and Responding to Special Populations—https://cossup.org/ResourceLibrary/Details/6cb89d76-dbcd-4161-a1a4-36b1beecd8a7