Brain Injury and the Justice System

Sponsor: New Hampshire Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association

A 3 hour training with Michelle Vigar and Carolyn Lemsky PhD, C.Psych ABPP-CN  

PRESENTATION:  People living with brain injury, an often invisible disability, are at a high risk of involvement with the justice system.   Brain injury increases the risk for mental health and substance use difficulties,  which are themselves common risk factors for being arrested.    Simply living with cognitive impairment increases the risk of being drawn into illegal activity  or having behavior misunderstood as threatening or committing impulsive acts.   It is an unfortunate truth that more than half of all people in custody are living with the impact of brain injury.  This workshop will provide an overview of the relationship between brain injury and justice involvement and provide key strategies for recognizing and supporting people with brain injury to navigate the court system, and avoid repeated charges.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to describe the relationship between brain injury and involvement in the justice system;
2. Participants will be able to list at least 3 symptoms of brain injury; and
3. Participants will be able to apply specific strategies and will be provided with functional tools and resources to support people with brain injury as they navigate the justice system.

PRESENTERS:  Dr. Carolyn Lemsky is a board certified neuropsychologist with over 25 years of experience working in rehabilitation settings in the U.S. and Canada. For the past 20 years she has been the Clinical Director at Community Head Injury Resource Services of Toronto. She is also the director of the Substance Use and Brain Injury (SUBI) Bridging Project, a research and knowledge transfer initiative funded by the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation. SUBI training and clinical materials have been used internationally to prepare addictions and mental health workers to accommodate the needs of people living with acquired brain injury. She has provided training and consultation across the US and Canada. In addition to frequent conference presentations,  Dr. Lemsky has contributed book chapters and articles to the neuropsychology and brain injury literature.

Melissa Vigar is a Registered Social Worker and the Executive Director of the Brain Injury Society.  She has worked in the field of brain injury for almost twenty years, supporting individuals and families in both the non-profit and private sector.  Melissa has overseen the design and implementation of several ABI community-based programs that focus on community integration, poverty reduction, resourcing and support coordination.  She sits on the Toronto ABI Network Advisory Committee, is the Civilian Co-Chair of the Toronto Police Disabilities Consultative Committee and is the co-chair of the Ontario Brain Injury Association’s Advisory Committee.

3 Contact Hours Available

Certified Prevention Specialist Domains:  6
LADC/MLADC Categories of Competence:  14-18
CRSW Performance Domains:  4
NBCC: LICSW/L-MFT/LCMHC (Category 1) & Psychologist Category A
NH Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No 6754. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NHADACA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

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Event Details