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SAMHSA SOAR

SOAR Webinar: Using the SOAR Model to Assist Applicants with Serious Mental Illness and Co-occurring Brain Injuries

This webinar, held on April 24, 2025, explored how Brain Injury (BI) affects individuals with serious mental illness who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Date and Time:

- - EDT

Description:

Join us for an insightful webinar to explore how Brain Injury (BI) affects individuals with serious mental illness who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Our panelists will discuss the complexities of brain injury and serious mental illness, highlighting how these conditions can intensify challenges in accessing care, maintaining stable housing, and overall well-being. They will emphasize strategies for BI screening and interventions that will help individuals enroll in services such as housing, mental healthcare, and SOAR! 

The webinar will include panelists from the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA), the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC), a SOAR Provider, and a SOAR Beneficiary. The panelists will provide information on the types of brain injury most prevalent in individuals who are experiencing homelessness, with a primary focus on Serious Mental Illness (SMI). They’ll help you understand how to be more confident in developing disability claims for individuals with BI. For example, obtaining the necessary medical and functional documentation and which SSA Listings of Impairments are relevant to the claim.

Audio en Español    Presentation Slides

What you will learn:

  • Understanding how BI impacts individuals with SMI, especially those experiencing homelessness.
  • Discovering effective BI screening methods and interventions to help individuals with SMI and BI access housing, mental healthcare, and SOAR services.
  • Gaining confidence in developing disability claims for individuals with BI, including obtaining necessary medical and functional documentation and understanding relevant SSA Listings of Impairments.

Presenters:

  • Caitlin Synovec, OTD, OTR/L, BCMH, Assistant Director of Medical Respite, National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC)
  • Judy Dettmer, BSW, Director of Technical Assistance and Special Projects, National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA)
  • Byron Kish, Esq., Senior Director of Disability Benefits Services (DBS) & SOAR State Team Lead, Easterseals Colorado
  • Richard, SOAR Beneficiary

Details

Type
Webinars