State Affiliate News

Colorado

The Brain Injury Association of Colorado will host the Leading the Way Brain Injury Conference in March in Arvada, Colo. The Leading the Way Brain Injury Conference is designed for professionals working with survivors of brain injury. The conference will address the intersections between brain injury, mental health, homelessness, legal involvement, employment, and military service, featuring speakers who are Leading the Way as experts in these fields. Attendees will leave with tangible knowledge on how to support survivors experiencing these challenges. The conference includes six CE, breakfast, lunch, and networking happy hour. Registration is now open at www.biacolorado.org/conferences.

Delaware

On December 11, the Brain Injury Association of Delaware marked the transformative milestone of making the official transition to becoming the Brain Injury Association of America – Delaware Chapter (BIAA-Delaware Chapter).

For over 40 years, BIAA has been a steadfast national voice for brain injury survivors, caregivers, and professionals. By joining this dynamic national network, we are unlocking new opportunities to deliver expanded resources and programs to support Delaware’s brain injury community; advocate with greater impact, influencing policies and services both locally and nationally; and amplify our collective voice in vital discussions shaping the future for survivors and their families.

This exciting new chapter was celebrated at the Dover Public Library, where an inspiring gathering of survivors, caregivers, community stakeholders, and board members came together. Special guests Rick Willis and Paula Eichholz from BIAA shared valuable insights about the vision for the Delaware Chapter and explored ways our community can unite to build a stronger, more impactful network.

We are energized by this alignment and the promise it holds for Delaware’s brain injury community. Together, we’re stepping into a future of greater support, advocacy, and connection.

Indiana

The Brain Injury Association of Indiana (BIAI) has had a busy few months! We held our third annual BIAI Wiffleball Tournament on October 28, and are thrilled to report that this year was our biggest tournament yet. We had 10 teams made up of survivors, family members, and professionals batting and running the bases to raise money and awareness for brain injury. We had incredible, fun-filled activities, costume contests, vendor tables, and food, as well as an amazing silent auction. We are so grateful to all of our attendees and very generous sponsors who made our event the best wiffleball tournament yet. We are already in the planning stages for our 2025 Wiffleball Tournament so stay tuned for more information.

We are working on the details for our next “Stride with a Specialist” event to be held in March in correlation with Brain Injury Awareness Month. The BIAI “Stride with a Specialist” series and related happenings are intended to promote brain health and wellness by having a specialist speak on a topic related to maximizing our brain while we walk/jog/roll together as a community. Be on the lookout for upcoming details on our March meet-up.

Our next “Brain Blitz” video will be on the topic of internet safety. This specific video will be a primer for a live interactive one-hour webinar to come in 2025. Our Brain Blitz series is made up of videos with various people speaking about important topics and providing information about resources both locally and nationally. Visit biaindiana.org/brain-blitz/ to see what we have so far in our library.

BIAI is also looking forward to attending the National Brain Injury Conference and Awareness Day in Washington. We will meet with our Indiana legislators to bring them brain injury awareness and education and advocate for continued and additional funding, services, and support both locally and nationally.

Iowa

2024 kept the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa (BIAIA) busy as our organization provided personalized assistance to more than 1,200 individuals and families through the Brain Injury Resource Facilitation program; provided training and educational opportunities to more than 500 individuals who experience brain injury, caregivers/ family members, and professionals across the state; and continued to work to expand our outreach to under and unserved populations with a pilot program engaging with child welfare.

In 2025, Iowa will launch a campaign to rejoin the Brain Injury Association of America as an affiliate to continue on the -plus years spent working to serve Iowans with brain injury, their families, caregivers, and the professionals engaging with them. In addition, BIAIA looks forward to our 33rd annual conference in March and invites you to consider attending or sharing the event link.

Maine

On Thursday, March 20, the Brain Injury Association of Maine (BIAA-ME) will host the 2025 BIAA-ME Brain Injury Resource Fair at the Augusta Armory in Augusta, Maine. The resource fair is BIAA-ME’s big event for Brain Injury Awareness Month, and it provides an opportunity for Maine’s brain injury community to gather and explore resources and support.

BIAA-ME continues a pilot project to increase capacity to support individuals with co-occurring brain injury, mental health, and substance use disorder challenges in Maine. Through this project, BIAA-ME continues to work with three behavioral health programs across the state to implement screening for a history of brain injury using the OBISSS tool from the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators and link those who may benefit from additional resources and services with NeuroResource Facilitation services for additional support. This project is being completed in collaboration with the Maine Office of Aging & Disability Services under the Administration for Community Living grant awarded to Maine.

Missouri

The Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) 20th Annual Statewide Conference was held on November 7 and 8. It was a great way for professionals to connect with other colleagues and gain information to improve outcomes for their patients, clients, and consumers. Session topics included Better Living Through Brain Stimulation, Vocational Rehabilitation Research within the NIDILRR TBI Model Systems, Missouri Brain Injury Resource Facilitation, Guide to Becoming an Effective Advocate for Policy Change, Pushing Through Recovery Survivor Panel, and more.

The BIA-MO Annual Awards Honorees were recognized on November 9 at the Annual Awards Luncheon. Volunteers, supporters, and survivors were honored for their efforts to create better futures for individuals with brain injury and their families.

On December 3, BIA-MO participated in Giving Tuesday, raising nearly $1,500. This Global Day of Giving was a great way to highlight charitable giving during the holiday season and make a difference for survivors and families living with brain injury.

New Hampshire

The Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire (BIANH) held its 18th annual Coalition of Caregivers Conference on November 13. Keynote speaker Susan McKeown, APRN(Ret), CPS, MFA, spoke on the topic “Introducing the Balance Wheel and Determining What Areas of Life Might Need Some Attention.”

BIANH is saddened to share the news about the passing of John Richards. John was well-known in the brain injury community and dedicated his life and work to improving the lives of others, especially those with brain injuries, disabilities, and chronic illnesses. John was a board member of BIANH for over 30 years. He held the position of president for the Board, served as president of Residential Resources, Inc., and also served as Executive Director for the Governor’s Commission on Disability in the state. John was very active in facilitating and working with various support groups for the Association. A tireless advocate for persons living with brain injury, John will be sorely missed by all of us.

New York

The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) has teamed up with the New York State Athletic Trainers’ Association to help further concussion education and prevention. The program, called COPE (Concussion Outreach Prevention Education), includes in-person sessions and online educational modules. COPE programs are offered at no cost and supported by funding provided by the New York State Department of Health, in collaboration with the New York State Senate.

Sessions are open to anyone engaged with student athletes – parents, athletic trainers, school administrators, educators, nurses, coaches, and youth sports organizations. In each session, attendees learn about the symptoms and management of concussions, crucial insights into recognizing and treating this common head injury, essential information on preventing concussions, updated guidelines for returning to sport after a concussion, and strategies for a successful return to academics following a concussion.

In addition, BIANYS also offers COPE Modules: free, online learning opportunities presented by renowned concussion expert and Medical Director of the University at Buffalo Concussion Management Clinic Dr. John Leddy. Through the recorded, on-demand modules, Dr. Leddy will provide the latest evidence-based information and strategies for assessing and managing concussion patients. Continuing education credits are included with each of these free modules.

Pennsylvania

The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) Conference Planning Committee is excited to announce that the 2025 Annual Conference will take place June 30-July 1 at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square in Lancaster, Pa. This year’s theme, “Celebrating an Empowered Brain Injury Community: A Conference for Survivors, Care Partners, and Professionals,” reflects our commitment to fostering connection and growth. We are pleased to, once again, offer a limited number of full conference scholarships to eligible caregivers and survivors.

This year’s keynote address, “How to Navigate Life After a Brain Injury,” will be delivered by Jennifer Lynn Robinson, Esq. A former litigation attorney, Jennifer’s life took a transformative turn following her traumatic brain injury. Today, she is a sought-after professional speaker, communications expert, and TEDx presenter. Her TED Talk can be viewed here.

For the latest updates on the conference or to learn about scholarship opportunities, visit biapa.org/2025conference.

On October 7, advocates gathered at the Pennsylvania State Capitol for a powerful day of brain injury advocacy, focusing on House Bill 1682 and Senate Bill 1094. These bills aim to secure access to Post-Acute NeuroRehabilitation, including Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT), through commercial insurance. The Brain Injury Association participates in advocacy efforts on behalf of the brain injury community by participating in the Brain Injury Coalition and serving in an advisory capacity on policy issues. It was a successful and enriching day for all who made the trip to Harrisburg!

South Carolina

The Brain Injury Association of South Carolina (BIASC) started the new year off in a physical office located in the state’s capital city of Columbia. Since the pandemic, staff have been working remotely so we are excited to be in an office again. The address is 4400 St. Andrews Road, Ste. E, Columbia, SC 29210.

During Brain Injury Awareness Month, BIASC will be collaborating with the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN), Head and Spinal Cord Injury Division (HASCI), on a community project called “Headstrong Hits.” SCDDSN is the state’s lead agency on TBI. Headstrong Hits will be an inspiring soundtrack curated by brain injury survivors, each song symbolizing a unique aspect of their recovery journey. From moments of struggle to breakthroughs of resilience, this soundtrack will represent the healing power of music and the strength of the human spirit. Every track will reflect the personal experiences, emotions, and triumphs of those who have faced and overcome life-altering challenges. Headstrong Hits won’t be just a playlist, but a reminder that you’re not alone.

We will again host the Statewide Walk, Run, and Roll during Brain Injury Awareness Month. The event will be held March 23-29 with a kickoff event on March 23 at the Riverwalk in Columbia.