Webinars

December 16,  5:30-6:30 p.m.
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Description:

The holiday season can amplify stress, sensory overload, communication barriers, and emotional expectations for people living with brain injury and the families who support them. This session—led by a social worker and speech-language pathologist—offers practical, actionable strategies to navigate communication, routines, and interpersonal dynamics during the holidays. Participants will learn tools to reduce overwhelm, support autonomy, and foster meaningful connection while honoring each survivor’s needs and capacity.

Presenters:

Kelly Ann Peña, M.S., CCC-SLP, CBIST is an Assistant Professor of Speech and Language Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh and a bilingual speech-language pathologist specializing in brain injury, executive functioning, and disability navigation. Her work examines how trauma, TBI, and cognitive-communication needs are often misrecognized across educational, medical, and legal systems, particularly for bilingual and immigrant families. Before joining Pitt, she served as Assistant Clinic Director at Rutgers University, overseeing bilingual clinical operations and student training. Kelly brings a trauma-informed, culturally responsive lens to rehabilitation and is committed to developing equitable, family-centered pathways of care for brain injury survivors.

Elizabeth Van Roten, MSW, LCSW, joined the Brain Injury Alliance of NJ in March of 2023 as the Director of Support Services, where she works to help support individuals living with brain injury. She has experience working in the field of neurology, including brain injury and movement disorders. Before joining BIANJ, she worked at Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s Neurological Institute as the Outpatient Neurology Social Work Manager and Movement Disorders Social Worker. Elizabeth completed her Bachelor’s degree in psychology at Pace University and earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University. She is a licensed in both NY and NJ. She has a particular interest in mental health and chronic conditions, healthcare disparities, and community education.

January 13, 2026, 12-1 p.m.
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Experiencing a (traumatic) brain injury is life altering. Parenting after a brain injury can be daunting and equally life altering. Join us for an hour-long presentation and discussion on how individuals who are living with a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury can modify parenting responsibilities and remain effective. A few of the topics to be discussed include changes in family dynamics, keeping children safe and healthy, supporting children’s education, managing their activities, and providing parental emotional support all while simultaneously navigating your symptoms of fatigue, headaches, pain, anxiety, depression, and decreased cognitive capacity.

Presenters:

Dr. Kimberly Beckwith McGuire received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in San Diego, California. She is board certified in Clinical Health Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology.  A staff psychologist at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (KIR) in West Orange, New Jersey since 2006, Dr. McGuire provides individual and group psychological services using a biopsychosocial/spiritual approach for individuals diagnosed with stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and other illnesses.

Dr. Jill Brooks is a clinical neuropsychologist and founder of Head to Head Consultants in Gladstone, New Jersey. She holds degrees in speech and language pathology from Northwestern University and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Miami. A former Chief of Speech and Language Pathology at Jackson Memorial Medical Center and Associate Professor of Neurology and Clinical Neuropsychologist at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Dr. Brooks has authored numerous publications on concussion, neurogenic speech disorders, and executive dysfunction. She played a leading role in developing New Jersey’s statewide concussion management policy and serves on multiple state advisory councils related to brain injury. Dr. Brooks’ private practice work focuses on evaluation and treatment of neurologic issues such as concussion, ADHD, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and epilepsy. Her work on concussion in female athletes has been featured by ESPN, Good Morning America, and Twin Cities Public Television, and she continues to integrate mindfulness and yoga into her neuropsychological practice.

February 3, 2026
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Description: Returning to work after a brain injury can be an important step toward rebuilding independence and confidence. It can also bring new questions about what support is available and what rights you have on the job. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) plays an important role in this process by protecting workers with brain injuries and supporting their right to request reasonable accommodations. In this workshop, we will look at the role the ADA can play in supporting your return to work, as well as its limitations. We will also explore common questions and hesitations people with TBI often have when it comes to sharing information about their injury at work. Through real examples and open discussion, participants will gain a clearer understanding of their rights and feel informed and confident as they consider their own path forward.

Speaker: Bethany Chase, DSW, LSW, CESP

Dr. Bethany Chase is a Senior Training and Consultation Specialist at The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development, where she provides training and consultation to disability professionals, advocates with lived experience, and families on best practices in employment, meaningful day, transition to adulthood, sexuality, aging, grief, and loss. Dr. Chase’s achievements include numerous state and national conference presentations, multiple peer-reviewed publications, and several Boggs Center resources that have been promoted nationwide. Before joining The Boggs Center, she spent over a decade as Chair of the Transition Department at the Cooke School and Institute in New York City, where she supported hundreds of students with developmental disabilities and their families in planning purposeful, inclusive lives of their choosing. Dr. Chase earned her doctorate from Rutgers University School of Social Work, her master’s degree from Columbia University School of Social Work, and her bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Berklee College of Music.

February 10, 2026
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Description: Thinking about returning to work while receiving SSI or SSDI can bring up a lot of questions. Many people worry that working means losing all their benefits, but that’s not always the case. There are programs and rules that can help people with disabilities try work, increase their income, and keep needed supports. In this workshop, we’ll walk through how SSI and SSDI interact with employment, explain the differences between the two programs, and clarify how work incentives can help you make informed choices. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how benefits and work can coexist, and where to go for personalized guidance and support along the way.

Speaker: Bethany Chase, DSW, LSW, CESP

Dr. Bethany Chase is a Senior Training and Consultation Specialist at The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development, where she provides training and consultation to disability professionals, advocates with lived experience, and families on best practices in employment, meaningful day, transition to adulthood, sexuality, aging, grief, and loss. Dr. Chase’s achievements include numerous state and national conference presentations, multiple peer-reviewed publications, and several Boggs Center resources that have been promoted nationwide. Before joining The Boggs Center, she spent over a decade as Chair of the Transition Department at the Cooke School and Institute in New York City, where she supported hundreds of students with developmental disabilities and their families in planning purposeful, inclusive lives of their choosing. Dr. Chase earned her doctorate from Rutgers University School of Social Work, her master’s degree from Columbia University School of Social Work, and her bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Berklee College of Music.

February 17, 2026
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Description: Returning to a job or starting a new career after a brain injury can feel overwhelming, especially when dealing with new changes in motor skills, memory, focus, energy, and/or communication. This training is designed to help you determine what technology would be good for your personal toolkit for success. Join us as we explore Assistive Technology (AT) solutions—simple and smart tools you can access quickly and use right now—that can make your transition back to work smooth and successful.

Participants will learn about a wide variety of AT recommendations to use on the job as well as a greater understanding of how to assess what might be best for themselves in the work they pursue. Learning how to leverage technology in your career re-entry will help you feel confident, capable, and prepared to thrive in your job. Let’s build that bridge back to work!

Speaker: Dr. Rob Kimmel, EdD, BCBA, CESP

Dr. Rob Kimmel is a Training and Consultation Specialist for the Employment and Transition project at The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development, where he provides training, consultation, and technical assistance on best practices in Supported Employment and Transition to Adulthood to disability professionals, families, and organizations.

Dr. Kimmel’s extensive career in the disability field spans over fifteen years in a variety of capacities. His focus has been deeply invested in increasing access to competitive employment for transitioning youth and adults with the most significant disabilities. His current work includes ongoing research and training centered on elevating the voices of adults with disabilities as subject matter experts in Special Education transition program reform. Some of Dr. Kimmel’s key professional achievements include serving on the board of directors for both National APSE (The Association of Persons Supporting Employment First) and its New Jersey State Chapter. He has also participated in numerous state, regional, and national committees, and served on NJ Department of Education workgroups to revise policies and state resources, such as the Autism Program Quality Indicators (APQI), which establish benchmarks for program excellence in schools across the state.

Dr. Kimmel earned his Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.), with a focus in Special Education, from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. He is a NJ certified K-6 and Special Education teacher, a Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP), and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), enabling him to provide multidisciplinary support across homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.

February 24, 2026
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Description: This training offers a practical and informative overview of how supported employment providers help individuals with brain injuries or other disabilities achieve meaningful, long-term employment. Participants will explore the full pathway of supported employment—from referral and eligibility determination to developing individualized employment plans and collaborating with service providers. Through this session, attendees will gain insight into how providers guide job seekers through each phase of the process, including pre-placement preparation, job matching, on-the-job coaching, and long-term support. The presentation will also highlight how supported employment services connect people to vital resources, training, and workplace accommodations that promote success and sustainability in employment. Whether you are a professional assisting other on their employment journey or someone seeking to understand these services for yourself or a loved one, this training will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the path toward meaningful work and greater independence.

Speaker: Jessica Short

Jessica Short is a Senior Training and Consultation Specialist for the Employment project at The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development. She conducts the Employment Specialist training and provides technical assistance to community providers regarding meaningful day and supported employment. Jessica has worked in the field of community-based disability services as a Group Home Manager, Trainer, Behavior Specialist, and Employment Specialist. Before she joined The Boggs Center, she was the Program Director for a Supported Employment Program working with young adults to foster positive transitions from school to adult life. Jessica received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from The College of New Jersey and Masters in Human Resource Management from Rutgers.