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FULL CONFERENCE AGENDA: 2021 Texas Brain Injury Conference

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In recognition of Brain Injury Awareness Month in March, the Texas Brain Injury Programs at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will offer a FREE virtual 2021 Texas Brain Injury Conference on March 25-26, 2021. The theme is “Bridging Silos: Connecting Systems of Care with a Person-Centered Approach.”

The full conference agenda is below. Click on the respective link to register for each session. For information about the webinar series, view the webinar schedule. 

Session 1
Thursday, March 25
1:00-5:00 p.m., Central time

1:00–1:15 p.m. — Welcome

Ron Lucey, executive director, Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities

1:15–2:15 p.m. — Stroke and Cardiovascular Disease

Suzanne Hildebrand, advocate and chair of the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke
Ronald M. Stewart, MD, chair of surgery, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
Learning objective: Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to:use person-centered planning, a wraparound approach and trauma-informed care in treating people that have experienced a stroke.

2:15–2:30 p.m. — Break

2:30–3:30 p.m. — Understanding Racial Disparity, Striving for More Equitable, Person-Centered Supports for People with Brain Injury

Miso Kwak, EdM, policy analyst, Human Services Research Institute
Eric Washington, self-advocate
Learning objective: Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to describe and identify health disparities and racial inequity among people with brain injury, and how administrators, service providers, families, and survivors can partner to create a more equitable, culturally responsive, and person-centered brain injury service system.

3:30–3:45 p.m. — Break

3:45–4:45 p.m. — Brain Injury and Vocational Rehabilitation

Laura R. York, MS, program specialist for special projects, Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Amanda Boren, MS, vocational rehabilitation counselor, Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Joyce Leverenz, MS, CRC, vocational rehabilitation counselor, Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Learning objective: Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to use person-centered planning, a wraparound approach and trauma-informed care to provide vocational rehabilitation for people that have had a brain injury.

4:45–5:00 p.m. — Closing

Keisha Rowe, director, Office of Independence Services, Texas HHSC 

Session 2
Friday, March 26
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Central time

8:30–8:45 a.m. — Welcome

Joe Perez, interim deputy executive commissioner, Health, Developmental and Independence Services, Texas HHSC

8:45–9:45 a.m. — Brain Injury: Criminal and Juvenile Justice

Judy L. Dettmer, BSW, director of strategic partnerships, National Association of State Head Injury Administrators
Learning objective: Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to use person-centered planning, a wraparound approach and trauma-informed care to identify and treat people in the justice system that may have had a brain injury.

9:45–10:00 a.m. — Break

10:00–11:00 a.m. — Mental Health and Emotional Needs Following a Brain Injury

Patti Foster, inspirational communicator and self-advocate
Deana Adams, PhD, LPC-S, president and founder, Hope After Brain Injury, and owner and executive director, Hope Behavioral Health
Learning objective: Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to use person-centered planning, a wraparound approach and trauma-informed care to identify and mitigate mental health and emotional needs associated with brain injury.

11–11:15 a.m. — Break

11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. — Acquired Brain Injuries-Educational Needs for Students

Brenda Eagan-Johnson, EdD, CBIST, state project director, BrainSTEPS/Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania
Heather Hotchkiss, MSW, principal brain injury specialist, Colorado Department of Education
Learning objective: Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to use person-centered planning, a wraparound approach and trauma-informed care to help students with brain injury in their educational needs.

12:15–12:30 p.m. — Closing

Michelle Alletto, chief program and services officer, Texas HHSC

Continuing education credit/contact hours for this event are provided by The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service and include the following:

Continuing Medical Education
The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service is accredited by the Texas Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service designates this live activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Continuing Nursing Education
The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service has awarded 6 contact hour(s) of Continuing Nursing Education.

Social Workers
The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service under sponsor number CS3065 has been approved by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners (https://dshs.texas.gov/socialwork) to offer continuing education contact hours to social workers. The approved status of The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service expires annually on December 31. The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service has awarded 6 contact hour(s) of Continuing Social Work Education.

Certified in Public Health
On 10/18/2017 the Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service was awarded multi-event provider status (ID #1360) by the National Board of Public Health Examiners to award CPH continuing education credits. This activity has been awarded 6 credits.

Certified Health Education Specialists
Sponsored by The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 6 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available are 0.00. Continuing Competency credits available are 0.00. Provider ID# 98017

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors
Provider (Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service) approved by the TCBAP Standards Committee, Provider Number 2026-18, 6 hours general and 0 hours clinical supervision. Expires annually on August 31. Complaints about provider or workshop content may be directed to the TCBAP Standards Committee, 402 Ranch Road 620 S., Ste. 210, Austin, Texas 78734, Fax No. (888) 506-8123.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists
The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service is considered a sponsor of continuing education for Licensed Professional Counselors according to the Texas Administrative Code, Title 22, Part 35, Chapter 801, Subchapter K, Rule §801.264 effective May 26, 2019, concerning continuing education sponsors. The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service has awarded 6 contact hour(s) for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.

Licensed Professional Counselors
The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service is considered a sponsor of continuing education for Licensed Professional Counselors according to the Texas Administrative Code, Title 22, Part 30, Chapter 681, Subchapter J, Rule § §681.142. The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service has awarded 6 contact hours of Continuing Education.

Licensed Psychologists
The Texas Department of State Health Services is authorized by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists as a (c)(2)(A) provider of professional development hours for licensed psychologists. Per the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists Act and Rules, at least half (10) of the required 20 hours of professional development must be obtained by a provider listed in section (c)(2)(A). The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service has awarded 6 contact hour(s) for Licensed Psychologists.

Licensed Nursing Facility Administrators
The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service is approved to provide Licensed Nursing Facility Administrator (LNFA) continuing education credit under Texas Administrative Code, TAC rule (26 TAC 555.35). The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service has awarded 6 contact hour(s) of Continuing Education.

Certificate of Attendance
The Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service has designated 6 hour(s) for attendance.