Acquired Brain Injury (ABI): What It Is and Why It Matters Within Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT) Implementation

Police routinely encounter individuals with a variety of medical conditions, behavioral health conditions, substance use disorders, or intellectual and developmental disabilities. Some conditions may be more easily identifiable, but others, such as acquired brain injury (ABI), may not be.   

This 90-minute webinar provides key information about ABI, including common indicators and evidence-informed communication techniques to help officers effectively respond to individuals with ABIs in crisis. A panel of subject matter experts share strategies tailored for ABI crisis de-escalation and for enhancing safety for both officers and community members.  

The session also highlights the growing awareness of ABI within the policing profession itself. It covers considerations for officer wellness, support, and return‑to‑duty accommodations.   

Additionally, the recording offers guidance on collaborating with national and local partners to strengthen response efforts and provide effective support for people with ABI.

After viewing this webinar, attendees will be better able to: 

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of ABI; 
• Apply communication strategies to support individuals with ABI; 
• Discuss the implications of ABI within the policing profession, including supports and accommodations; and 
• Identify relevant community resources and partnership opportunities. 

Presenters: 

• Jaclyn B. Caccese, PhD, Associate Professor, College of Medicine School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and Faculty Member, Chronic Brain Injury Program 

• Anastasia Edmonston, MS, CRC, Project Coordinator, Maryland Behavioral Health Administration’s Federal Traumatic Brain Injury Partner Grant 

• Regina Huerter, Senior Project Associate, Policy Research Associates 

• Russha Knauer, Director, MINDSOURCE Brain Injury Network 

• Michael J Macario 'Mac', retired Senior Training Officer, Raleigh Police Training Center 

• Kelly Miller, Senior Manager for Technical Assistance, National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) 

• Scott Pokorny, MSW, CBIS, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Team Lead, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services 

• Caroline Morris, Project Associate, International Association of Chiefs of Police (Moderator) 

For more information, contact: CRIT@theiacp.org 

This webinar and materials are produced under the Cooperative Agreement No. 15PBJA-22-GK-03562-NTCP, awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). BJA is a component of the United States Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this webinar are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.