Description

Integrated, whole-person care is a growing area of focus among providers in Iowa, but there are still gaps in knowledge and competence. This lunch and learn series will address some key areas of integrated care in medical and behavioral health settings. 

Session Goals

This session will discuss the incidence and prevalence of brain injury in Iowa and the prevalence of behavioral health challenges among people with a history of head injury compared to individuals without a history of head injury. Iowa's endorsed brain injury screening tool will be featured along with strategies and resources to support implementation. 

Learning Objectives

1. List three ways a brain injury may affect an individual.
2. Locate a brain injury screening tool for use in Iowa.
3. Describe the benefits of screening for brain injury in behavioral health settings.
4. Name a resource available in Iowa for consultation and support.

Moderator

Tiffany Conroy, MSW, LISW 
Integrated Health Consultant, Iowa Primary Care Association

Ms. Conroy is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with 12 years of experience in trauma-informed services in the mental health and public health sectors, statewide program management, organizational leadership, stakeholder outreach and engagement, grant procurement and management, and trauma-informed systems change. She has experience providing clinical therapy in community mental health, a non-profit trauma-treatment program, and private practice. In her clinical work, Ms. Conroy specializes in complex trauma and survivors of violent crime. Additionally, she works in Public Health, focusing on violence prevention and response. She uses a public health lens as a private consultant in her trauma-informed systems change work.

Speakers

Maggie Ferguson, MS, CRC, CBIST
Project Director, Disability and Injury Prevention Program, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Maggie Ferguson is the Project Director for the Disability & Injury Prevention Program at the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. She has been the project director for Iowa's Brain Injury Services Program, Falls Prevention Program, and Disability and Health Program. She provides administrative support to the Iowa Advisory Council on Brain Injuries. Before joining the Department in 2013, Maggie had over 17 years of experience working in disability services, including four years as a Resource Facilitator with the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa. Maggie has been on the NASHIA Board of Directors as the northwest region member-at-large and has served as the 2018 and 2019 co-chair for NASHIA's State of the States planning committee.

Jim Pender, MSW, LMSW 
Brain Injury Grant Manager, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Jim spent 20 years in the Targeted Case Management unit at the Iowa Department of Human Services. Jim and his wife are parents of several adult children living with a brain injury. Jim received his bachelor's degree in human services from Grand View College (Des Moines, IA) and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA). Jim Is a Member of the Clinical Specialty Registry with the Alberta College. In addition, Jim is a Registered Family Mediator and Registered Parenting Coordinator/Arbitrator. He holds two certifications in the area of substance abuse as well as a Certified Sex Addiction therapist.