Brain Injuries: Are You Recognizing the Signs & Offering Support?
Live Broadcast: Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 1:00PM CT/2:00PM ET
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is highly prevalent among justice-involved populations, yet it often goes unrecognized and untreated in correctional settings. Many individuals with TBI experience cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms—such as memory problems, slowed processing, impulsivity, or difficulty following instructions—that are frequently misinterpreted as noncompliance, leading to disciplinary actions and disrupted access to programming.
This webinar will present practical strategies for systematic TBI identification and management in correctional facilities. Participants will learn about a three-tiered screening and assessment approach: (1) brief universal intake screening, (2) symptom-based assessment tools, such as the TBI Symptom Screener for Corrections, and (3) targeted clinical evaluation, including cognitive and vestibular/ocular-motor assessment.
Presenters will also highlight interventions and Americans with Disabilities Act–compliant accommodations that correctional staff, medical teams, and behavioral health providers can implement immediately, including communication adjustments, environmental modifications, structured routines, and cueing supports. The session will provide examples of state-level models that integrate screening, staff training, and TBI-informed reentry planning to improve safety, reduce disciplinary incidents, and support successful transitions back to the community.
Learning Objectives
-Describe the prevalence and impact of TBI in correctional populations, including behavioral and cognitive symptoms that may be misinterpreted as defiance or noncompliance.
-Explain a three-tiered TBI identification pathway in correctional settings, including brief intake screening, symptom-based tools, and targeted clinical evaluation with neuro-optometric and vestibular/ocular-motor components.
-Identify practical strategies and accommodations that correctional, medical, and behavioral health staff can implement to support individuals with TBI and improve outcomes.
-Discuss examples of integrated screening, training, and reentry planning models that enhance safety, reduce disciplinary actions, and support successful community reintegration.
Panelists
Doug Major, OD, CCHP is a neuro-optometrist practicing in Los Osos, California. A certified correctional health provider, he is a staff optometrist at the San Luis Obispo County Jail. Dr. Major has provided vision care in federal, state, and county correctional facilities for adults and at-risk youth. He has been involved in research at the California Youth Authority, the Grizzly Youth Academy, and the San Luis Obispo County Jail. Dr. Major has presented at the International Correctional Education Association, American Academy of Optometry, Stanford Concussion Summit, Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, and the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics international meetings. He was the national co-chair for the College of Optometry’s Visual Development Juvenile Delinquency Committee and is currently a volunteer group leader at Atascadero State Hospital. He also founded the NORA Justice Treatment Committee and is involved with his local National Alliance on Mental Illness chapter.
Kelly Sarmiento, MPH serves as the Director of Outreach Programs at the Brain Injury Association of America. In this role, she conducts research and leads educational efforts to protect Americans from brain injuries and the potentially devastating effects of these injuries. Ms. Sarmiento holds a Master of Public Health degree from the Yale School of Public Health. She has authored more than 150 scientific articles, developed more than 100 educational products and tools, and has received numerous awards for her work in public health.
Webinar Fee:
$69 ($59 for CCHPs), includes access to the power point presentation, the webinar recording and CE credit – 1.00 hours for ACCME, ANCC, APA, and General (CCHP and others).
Continuing education credit (1.00 hour) available for:
Nurses: The National Commission on Correctional Health Care designates this learning experience as Outcome Level 1 & 2. The National Commission on Correctional Health Care is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. NCCHC designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 contact hour. Nurses must attend the entire program to receive credit.
Physicians: The National Commission on Correctional Health Care is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
NCCHC designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Psychologists: The National Commission on Correctional Health Care is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. NCCHC maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This educational activity offers up to 1.00 hour of credit.
CCHPs: Certified Correctional Health Professionals may earn up to 1.00 contact hour of Category I continuing education for recertification.
Social Workers, counselors and others: When evaluating the presentation, select the “General” category, print your certificate, and use it to report directly to your certifying board.
Disclosure Statement
In accordance with the disclosure policy of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, everyone who is in a position to control the educational content of the Brain Injuries: Are You Recognizing the Signs? webinar (including planners, speakers, and moderators) has been asked to disclose all relevant financial interests, all affiliations, or other financial relationships within 24 months (1) with the manufacturers of any commercial product(s) and/or provider(s) of commercial services discussed in an educational presentation and (2) with any ineligible companies. Such disclosure is not intended to suggest or condone bias in any presentation but rather is elicited to provide information that attendees might deem important to their evaluation of an educational presentation. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to this activity. No individuals have disclosed a relevant financial relationship with any ineligible companies/commercial interests.
Financial Relationship Disclosures:
Faculty Disclosures
None of the presenters have any relevant relationships to disclose.
NCCHC Education Committee
The following committee members have no relevant financial relationships to disclose:
Sylvie Stacy, MD, MPH, CCHP-CP (Chair)
LaToya Duckworth, RN, BSN, MHA, CCHP-RN
Keith W Ivens, MD, FACCP
Joel Andrade, PhD, LICSW, CCHP-MH
Sharen Barboza, PhD, CCHP-MH
David Dawdy, MA, LLP, CCHP
Kenya Key, PsyD, CCHP-MH
Andrea Knittel, MD, PhD
Susan Laffan, RN, CCHP-RN, CCHP-A
Pauline Marcussen, DHA, RHIA, CCHP
Jim Martin, MPSA, CCHP
Marci MacKenzie, PhD, LCSW, CCHP
Rebecca Rock, PsyD, CCHP-MH
Lori Roscoe, PhD, DNP, CCHP-RN
Deborah Shelton, PhD, RN-C, CCHP
Nancy White, LPC, MA
The following member has disclosed the following financial relationship:
Alysse Wurcel, MD, Gilead Pharmaceuticals, Advisory Panel
Staff Liaisons: Ana Olivares, Toyin Alaka and Kim Sterling, MBA, CAE have no financial relationships to disclose.