Return To School Project

About

Although hospitals treat children and adolescents with TBI in their initial course of recovery, it is ultimately the school system that serves as the long-term provider of services to these students.

The goal of this project is to compare the health, academic and social outcomes of children/youth with TBI who are served by the COR-TBI team model to outcomes of children/youth in a comparison site.

The COR-TBI team model, operational since 1994, links medical settings (i.e., concussion clinics, emergency departments, pediatrician offices) with a regional support network coordinated by the High Desert Educational Service District, and provides comprehensive support within the school setting for students who experience a brain injury of any severity across all ages.

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Resources

A brain injury can impact a student’s ability to succeed in school. Explore the resources below for strategies to support a child after brain injury.

Who we are

RTS Team

The RTS team brings together researchers from the University of Oregon departments of Psychology and Education in an effort to close the research-practice gap in supporting students with brain injuries.

  • photo: Ann Glang
    Ann Glang

    Ann Glang, PhD, is a Research Professor at the University of Oregon. Since 1987, she has secured and directed or co-directed over 30 federally funded research projects focused on individuals with TBI, including both descriptive and intervention research projects.

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  • photo: Deanne Unruh
    Deanne Unruh

    Deanne is an Associate Research Professor in the College of Education and is the Director of the Secondary Special Education and Transition (SSET) research unit and Co-Director of the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT).

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  • photo: Melissa McCart
    Melissa McCart

    Melissa McCart, DEd, is a Research Assistant Professor and Director of CBIRT. Melissa received her doctorate in Educational Methodology, Policy and Leadership, her M.S. in behavioral disabilities and her administrator's licenses from the University of Oregon.

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  • photo: Jody Slocumb
    Jody Slocumb

    Jody Slocumb received her BA in Journalism and Communication from the University of Oregon. She had eight years of experience on a wide range of social science research projects before coming to CBIRT in 2013.

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  • photo: Jeff Gau
    Jeff Gau

    As a data analyst my research has mostly involved the analysis of longitudinal data, randomized trials, and group randomized trials.

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  • photo: Megan Jones
    Megan Jones

    Megan received her BA in Psychology from Willamette University. Prior to coming to CBIRT she spent 8 years researching early childhood development with at-risk families.

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  • photo: Laura Beck
    Laura Beck

    Laura has worked at CBIRT since 1999 on a variety of information management, educational research, and service-related projects. She has an MLIS from the University of Missouri.

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  • photo: Susan Davies
    Susan Davies

    Susan Davies, Ed.D., is a Professor in School Psychology at the University of Dayton. Susan serves as a consultant on the RTS project and will coordinate study activities at the Ohio comparison site.

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  • photo: Gerard Gioia
    Gerard Gioia

    Gerry Gioia, Ph.D., is the Division Chief of Neuropsychology and the director of the Safe Concussion Outcome, Recovery & Education (SCORE) Program at Children's National Health System. Gerry is a consultant on the RTS project and will provide input on all project activities with a particular focus on outcome measures.

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  • photo: Viviane Ugalde, MD
    Viviane Ugalde

    The Center Foundation Concussion Management Program Medical Director, is a consultant on the RTS project. Viviane Ugalde, MD, will serve as the liaison to the Central Oregon medical community.

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Extended Team

Advisory Board

Our work is guided by the RTS Advisory Board. The Board includes healthcare providers, education professionals, parents and students.

  • Linda Brown, D.Ed. Educational Specialist
  • Laura Chisholm, MPH, MA, MCHES Injury Prevention Program Manager
  • Sara Chrisman, MD, MPH Pediatrician
  • Molly Fuentes, MD, MS Physician
  • Barbara Guy, PhD Director of Special Education
  • Dale Matusevich Education Associate Transition Services
  • Jenna Pike Brain Injury Survivor
  • Ricky Rodriguez Athletic Trainer
  • Cheryl Ruiz Counselor
  • Ronda Sneva Parent of Student with Brain Injury
  • Sara Timms, Ed.S. School Psychologist
Extended Team

Project Implementation Teams

The Project Implementation Team (PIT Crew) at each site will work with project staff to collaboratively develop research procedures and protocols. The PIT Crew is made up of medical and educational professionals.

Oregon

Sue Hayes Special Programs Administrator
High Desert Education Service District
Katie Legace Executive Director of High School Programs
Bend-La Pine Schools
Sondra Marshall, PhD Licensed Psychologist
PEDAL Clinic Director
St. Charles Health System
Tami Pike Health Services Supervisor
Bend-La Pine Schools

Ohio

Nicholas DeGrazia School Psychologist
Northmont City Schools
Supervisor for Tiered Behavioral Supports
Katy Lucas Miamisburg Special Education Director
Rhonda Wootton RN Kettering Fairmont High School

Contact the RTS Team