Neurorehab in the Justice System: The Untold Role of SLPs with Jessica Cortez

***** This episode may contain subject matter that is a trigger for some listeners. Incidents of traumatic events, injuries, and mental health issues will be discussed.********Guest: Jessica Cortez, MA, CCC-SLP, CBISEarn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Neurorehab-in-the-Justice-System-The-Untold-Role-of-SLPsIn this episode of the Brainstorms Functional Neuro Rehab for SLPs podcast, host Renee Garrett welcomes guest Jessica Cortez, a speech-language pathologist and certified brain injury specialist. The discussion focuses on the impactful work being done to provide speech therapy services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Jessica shares her journey and experiences, highlighting the importance of trauma-informed care, functional brain injury assessments, and the challenges of delivering these essential services. Practical insights into personalized treatment, building rapport, and innovative approaches for outreach to underserved populations are provided, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in neurorehabilitation and social justice.Episode Timeline:00:00 Introduction and Disclosures01:34 Guest Introduction: Jessica Cortez02:30 Jessica's Journey into Neuro Rehab03:41 Focusing on Traumatic Brain Injury05:49 The Criminal Justice System and Brain Injuries13:30 Patient-Focused Brain Injury Assessment24:58 Challenges and Opportunities in Prison Reform32:39 Understanding Brain Function and Holistic Care33:55 Challenges in Nutrition and Healthcare Systems35:04 Addressing Bias and Habitual Behavior36:01 Outreach and Support for Underserved Populations38:18 Screening and Support Systems for TBI40:06 Collaborative Care and Rehabilitation42:01 Functional Therapy and Real-Life Applications54:37 Success Stories and Rehabilitation Impact01:00:15 Final Thoughts and ResourcesAbout the Guest: Jessica Cortez is a Speech Language Pathologist and Certified Brain Injury Specialist with over 15 years of experience working with adults and adolescents in various medical settings. She earned her Master's in Speech Language Pathology from The George Washington University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of Mount Union. She now lives in Northern Colorado and owns The Loom Connection, focusing exclusively on treating acquired brain injuries in the general and criminal justice.Mentioned in this episode:Register for the Aphasia Discourse Conference on June 7