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

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.

• 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