Webinars

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.

January 20, 2026, 10 a.m.
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*When registering, it is suggested that you include the name of the town in which you live so that the presenter can define who your representatives are.

Objectives:

• Provide an overview of the New Jersey Legislature and of the legislative process
• Inform how you can get engaged in and obtain advocacy-related news from the Alliance and other organizations
• Offer suggestions for preparing for a meeting with elected officials and/or staff
• Share stories of successful advocacy successes
• Instruct how you can learn who your elected representatives are and how to contact them

Presenter:

Tom Grady has served as Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs for BIANJ since October 2002. His responsibilities focus on the following: advocacy; government relations; and public policy. Since this time, he has directed, managed, and/or supported lobbying efforts that:

• Budgeted and appropriated $36,000,000 ins State and Federal budget appropriation for specialized community-based supports and services to benefit people with traumatic or acquired brain injury between State fiscal years 2004-2014;
• Budgeted and appropriated $2,520,000 that enabled the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey to provide advocacy, education, information, outreach, and support services to the brain injury community during the State of New Jersey’s 2015-2026 fiscal years;
• Requires youth under 18 years of age to wear helmets while skiing; making New Jersey the first state in the Nation to have such a law;
• Changed the age under which children must wear helmets while bicycling, skateboarding, and rollerskating from 14 to 17;
• Required the development of an interscholastic and intramural athletic head injury safety training program; that certain measures to protect student athletes with concussions be followed; and that required continuing education for athletic trainers;
• Encouraged school districts in the State to implement baseline cognitive testing;
• Encouraged Congress and the President to enact the National Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Plan Act;
• Created the New Jersey Special Education & Traumatic Brain Injury Task Force;
• Designated the third Friday in September of each year as Concussion Awareness Day;
• Designated the month of March of each year as Brain Injury Awareness Month; and,
• Designated the month of September of each year as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month.

March 18, 2026, 12-1 p.m.
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Recovery from a brain injury is more than just a clinical process; it is a social and emotional rebuilding. For young adults, this journey often intersects with a critical developmental stage focused on identity, independence, and the formation of social bonds. This presentation explores these unique psychosocial aspects and examines how brain injury can disrupt relationships, leading to feelings of isolation. Drawing on survivor Jake Wilson’s journey and a nurse educator’s clinical expertise, we will share practical strategies to overcome the social and emotional challenges of brain injury during young adulthood. From navigating digital communication and social media to finding purpose, this session provides tools for rebuilding a meaningful life. The presentation includes a live Q&A session with Jake, offering a rare first-person perspective on the resilience and creativity required to “Get Out There” and thrive.

Learning Objectives:

1. Analyze the Psychosocial Impact: Identify the specific developmental challenges faced by young adults after a brain injury.
2. Implement Social Reconnection Strategies: Evaluate and apply practical tips for building new social connections.
3. Identify Pathways to Community Integration: Explore the role of community involvement for long-term emotional resilience during recovery.

Speakers:

Jake Wilson: At 17 years old, Jake Wilson survived a massive hemorrhagic stroke. Now 23, the former high school lifeguard has channeled his lifelong commitment to service into co-founding Get Out There with Acquired Brain Injury (GOT ABI), a nonprofit dedicated to helping young adults across South/Central New Jersey rebuild their lives. Jake provides essential support for young adults navigating recovery after brain injuries. Jake is the 2025 recipient of the Mimi Goldman Award for positive achievement in the brain injury community.

Kristen Wilson is a holistic nurse, educator, and former transition case manager for the IDD population. Her career spans years in home care, rehabilitation, and special education. This diverse expertise helped navigate her 17-year-old son’s brain injury recovery. Today, she translates her professional and personal experience into the mission of GOT ABI.

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.

April 14, 2026, 12-1 p.m.
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The nutritional health of an individual with a brain injury can impact overall health outcomes.  Achieving adequate nutritional health is challenging.  Individuals are faced with making wise food choices, managing barriers to intake such as dysphagia, rehabilitation, and working towards independence and more. This webinar will provide an overview of how medical nutrition therapy can fuel recovery but also provide strategies in managing challenges commonly found in individuals with a brain injury. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Define Medical Nutrition Therapy and how it can provide a framework for adequate nutritional health in individuals with brain injury 
2. Identify common challenges that impact the adequacy of oral intake in individuals with brain injury. 
3. Discuss strategies for how to overcome common challenges that impact nutritional health. 
4. Recognize the benefits of positive nutritional health outcomes using a case study. 

Speaker: 

Jennifer Bridenbaugh, DCN, RDN, CNSC is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences at Rutgers School of Health Professions. She has been a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist for over 30 years. Jennifer began her career in the Neuro and Surgical-Trauma Intensive Care Units and continued working in acute care settings, maintaining her expertise as a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician. Throughout her career, she has provided medical nutrition therapy to individuals with a wide range of needs, including chronic disease management, malnutrition, and acute or long-term nutrition support. With more than 20 years of experience teaching and mentoring students in clinical nutrition and other health professions, Jennifer currently teaches advanced clinical and medical nutrition therapy to graduate nutrition students. She is passionate about interprofessional education and representing the nutrition profession in collaborative healthcare practice. 

April 28, 2026, 12-1 p.m.
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The collaboration between a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN) is more than just an evaluation of swallowing ability.  In this webinar, the roles of each of these important health professionals will be described along with how their collaboration can improve the care of an individual with a brain injury. Using a case study and panel discussion, participants will leave with key points on how cognitive and swallowing function can impact nutritional health.   

Learning Objectives: 

1. Describe the role of the SLP and the RDN in the assessment of an individual with a brain injury. 
2. Understand the value of collaborative practice between the SLP and RDN in the care of an individual with a brain injury using examples from a case presentation. 
3. Identify opportunities when seeking either the SLP or RDN is necessary.  
4. Identify strategies to improve the health of an individual with a brain injury by addressing nutrition needs, cognitive and swallowing functions.  

Speakers: 

Jennifer Bridenbaugh, DCN, RDN, CNSC is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences at Rutgers School of Health Professions. She has been a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist for over 30 years. Jennifer began her career in the Neuro and Surgical-Trauma Intensive Care Units and continued working in acute care settings, maintaining her expertise as a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician. Throughout her career, she has provided medical nutrition therapy to individuals with a wide range of needs, including chronic disease management, malnutrition, and acute or long-term nutrition support. With more than 20 years of experience teaching and mentoring students in clinical nutrition and other health professions, Jennifer currently teaches advanced clinical and medical nutrition therapy to graduate nutrition students. She is passionate about interprofessional education and representing the nutrition profession in collaborative healthcare practice. 

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, disability navigation, and migrant health. Her work bridges clinical practice, education, and mixed-methods research to examine how trauma, TBI, and executive functioning are misrecognized across educational, medical, and legal systems. A former Assistant Clinic Director at Rutgers University, Kelly is committed to culturally responsive, trauma-informed care and to expanding access for bilingual and immigrant families. She brings a systems-level lens to clinical education and advocates for equity-centered approaches to assessment, rehabilitation, and care coordination.