State Affiliate News

Indiana

The Brain Injury Association of Indiana (BIA-I) has been very busy as we entered the fall and winter seasons!

Want to get early access to THE Challenge! magazine? Enter your name and email below, and we will send you a digital copy a week before it becomes available. We kicked off the fall by hosting a half-day educational and interactive seminar for individuals impacted by brain injury. Our focus was “Living Well with Brain Injury in Indiana.” The day began with an adaptive Zumba session that got everyone energized. Our amazing presenters shared information on exercise, nutrition, and social communication after brain injury. Each session included interactive activities, allowing participants to engage and learn together.

A highlight of the seminar was hearing from two individuals living with brain injury who shared their personal journeys. Their stories left us with so much to reflect on and reminded us of the strength, resilience, and perseverance within our community.

BIA-I also hosted our most anticipated event of the year, the 4th Annual BIA-I Wiffleball Tournament, on October 25. This year’s tournament featured a full day of action-packed games, individual and team costume contests, local vendors, creative crafts, and a silent auction. Individuals and teams traveled from across the state to compete in the spirit of community and recovery. We were thrilled to welcome more individuals living with brain injury than ever before, making this year’s event especially meaningful.

We are busy planning the first event in our 2026 Stride with a Specialist series. This series features a brain injury specialist sharing a brief talk on living well with brain injury, followed by a leisurely walk or roll around an indoor track. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and build meaningful relationships within the community while engaging in light exercise. The first Stride with a Specialist event will take place on Saturday, February 28, leading us right into a busy March—Brain Injury Awareness Month.

Louisiana

The Brain Injury Association of Louisiana (BIA-LA) continues to expand outreach and strengthen support networks through active participation in community events across the state. Recently, BIA-LA engaged in the Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Aging and Adult Services regional resource fairs, providing valuable opportunities to connect with case managers, support coordinators, and direct care professionals who serve individuals with brain injuries.

Our network of BIA-LA State Ambassadors played an important role by representing the organization at several of these fairs. Their involvement not only helped share critical resources with local communities but also allowed BIA-LA to broaden its presence at statewide events.

In addition to outreach, BIA-LA remains committed to fostering community reintegration and social connection. Thanks to a Quality of Life grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, we recently hosted two highly attended community reintegration events: a bowling outing and a painting session. Both gatherings offered individuals with brain injuries and their caregivers meaningful opportunities to build friendships, strengthen support networks, and enjoy time together in an inclusive environment.

Through these ongoing efforts, BIA-LA continues to promote connection, engagement, and improved quality of life for the brain injury community across Louisiana.

Maine

The Brain Injury Association of America-Maine Chapter (BIAA-ME) published the 10th edition of its Maine Brain Injury and Stroke Resource Directory in early 2026. The directory is available in both print and digital formats and is distributed across Maine at no cost to recipients.

During Brain Injury Awareness Month, BIAA-ME will hold the 2026 BIAA-ME Brain Injury Resource Fair in Augusta on Thursday, March 19. The fair is designed to bring the Maine brain injury community together to explore a wide variety of resources, services, and supports.

Under Maine’s current Administration for Community Living grant, BIAA-ME continues to collaborate with Maine’s Office of Aging & Disability Services to work with three pilot sites to increase brain injury screening and resource facilitation within agencies providing mental health and substance use disorder services throughout Maine.

Missouri

The Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) extended the traditional Giving Tuesday into “Brain Injury Giving Tuesdays.” Survivors, families, impacts, and opportunities were highlighted each Tuesday in December 2025. Brain injury does not go away, so helping others should last for more than one day.

BIA-MO Concussions: Facts, Fallacies, and New Frontiers Seminars were held in January and February 2026. Locations included Columbia, Kansas City, and St. Louis, along with an online seminar. This training for youth sports and school personnel helps reduce the risks of concussions, improves concussion management, and supports students in their return to learn.

BIA-MO Survivor and Family Seminars will be held in March and April 2026. Seminars will be in Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis. Each seminar will include the same sessions, with information focusing on understanding and living with brain injury.

Bowling for Brain Injury will return in June 2026. Teams are encouraged to participate in person in Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis. This event raises awareness and provides support for survivors of brain injury. Bowlers will enjoy a day of fun as they reach their team goal of $500 or more. “Spare the Alley, Join the Rally” is available for participating in fundraising without bowling.

Nebraska

On December 3, the Brain Injury Association of Nebraska (BIA-NE) was honored to partner with the Nebraska Medical Orchestra and Choir (NMOC) at their Eighth Annual Winter Concert. The evening beautifully blended music, community, and holiday cheer with a shared commitment to supporting Nebraskans living with brain injury.

As the featured community organization, BIA-NE welcomed guests to a pre-concert reception showcasing A Peace of My Mind — the powerful storytelling gallery by artist John Noltner that elevates the voices and lived experiences of individuals affected by brain injury. Seeing attendees pause, listen, and engage with these portraits reminded us why visibility and understanding matter so deeply, especially when so many injuries remain unseen.

The concert itself closed with a joyful holiday sing-along, echoing the spirit of connection we all felt throughout the night. We are grateful to NMOC, their musicians, and everyone who joined us. Because of gatherings like this, hope is visible for Nebraska’s brain injury community.

New Hampshire

The Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire (BIA-NH) and the Department of Education have developed a concussion and traumatic brain injury Return to Learn policy and plan for the school districts in the State of New Hampshire. According to Revised Statute Section 200:63, the plan includes a recommendation on school-based concussion and brain injury in-service training. BIA-NH began working with Integration Sciences to build a return-to-learn program named The Center for Supporting New Hampshire Schools and Managing Return to Learn After Concussion. This concussion pilot project covers 13 different schools in the state of New Hampshire. Throughout the spring and summer of 2025, Integration Sciences developed a five-module online asynchronous Return to Learn course designed to support a student returning to school after a concussion. This online course was launched in the New Hampshire schools in the fall of 2025 and includes a Return to Learn Toolkit for each school district. The toolkit incorporates proper staff training, policies/procedures, a community of practice, and tracking of students. At the end of the program, Integration Sciences will provide a summary report to the governor’s office which is providing the funding for the initiative.

New York

On November 13, the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIA-NYS) hosted its annual Journey of Hope Gala, an unforgettable evening celebrating the strength, resilience, and achievements of New York’s brain injury community. As one of the association’s signature events, the gala combines elegance with purpose, raising essential funds to support the vital programs and services that empower New Yorkers living with brain injuries and their families.

Set against the backdrop of the Manhattan Penthouse, the gala brought together attendees for a night of inspiration, connection, and recognition. Executive Director Eileen Reardon served as emcee, with support from the Honorary Committee Chair Wendell Miller, guiding the celebration and energy of the night.

The remarkable honorees for the evening included:
Paragon Management SNF – Corporate Citizen Award
F. Allan Curran – Philanthropy Award
Andrea Kim – Barry Dain Champion of Hope Award
Paws of War – Hero of Hope Award

Every award and speech highlighted the strength of the brain injury community and the many individuals and organizations working each day to support survivors and their families. The evening offered a vivid reminder of the resilience, compassion, and determination that shaped this statewide network of people committed to one another.

It was a night of elegance, celebration, and gratitude, a true testament to the power of community and the difference we can make together.

North Carolina

For adults living with brain injury in North Carolina, finding community and support can be a challenge. That’s where Camp Thrive Together, hosted by the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina (BIA-NC), comes in. This annual weekend retreat offers a safe and welcoming space for participants to connect with peers who truly understand their experiences.

Campers enjoy a rich mix of recreational and therapeutic activities designed to engage, inspire, and uplift. From arts and crafts to horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, campfires, and lively social events, every moment encourages creativity, connection, and joy. But Camp Thrive Together is about more than just fun; it’s about fostering peer support, reducing isolation, and creating lasting friendships.

BIA-NC works to make the camp accessible, subsidizing much of the cost so that adults from across the state can benefit from this transformative experience. For participants, the weekend offers not only new skills and memorable experiences but also a renewed sense of confidence, belonging, and community.

Camp Thrive Together is a shining example of how thoughtful programming can empower adults living with brain injury to reconnect with themselves, each other, and the possibilities that lie ahead.

Pennsylvania

The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIA-PA) is pleased to announce a pilot program beginning in January 2026 in collaboration with Penn Foundation at St. Luke’s, a substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program located in Sellersville, Pennsylvania. This project is a component of the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Brain Injury and Opioids initiative. The pilot will focus on identifying individuals with brain injury, implementing screening and symptom identification processes, and integrating brain injury-informed approaches into treatment planning. Individualized interventions will then be designed and implemented for those identified, enabling them to benefit from treatment that may not otherwise be effective and ultimately improving outcomes. Our team will be embedded within the SUD program, working side by side with staff to implement the model. The overarching goal of the pilot is to inform and support systems-level change.

Our first in-person ReDiscover U Community Classes initiative, made possible through a contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, launched with four community drum circle sessions across Pennsylvania, and the series was a fantastic success! Held at rehabilitation sites statewide, each session invited participants into a supportive, welcoming space to experience the grounding, energizing, and healing qualities of group drumming. Guided by skilled facilitators, the circles promoted stress reduction, social connection, and accessible creative expression for individuals of all abilities.

This strong start really shows how meaningful it is to bring community-based experiences directly to survivors. We’re excited to keep that momentum going with our next statewide series, a guided canvas painting class designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and create connection through art.

South Carolina

The Brain Injury Association of South Carolina (BIA-SC) is thrilled to share some truly inspiring news that’s been a long time in the making! We have been awarded a generous three-year grant from South Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)! This FY26 Cross Sector Impact grant, kicking off with $15,000 in Year 1, will empower us to launch a transformative creative writing project designed by and for brain injury survivors.

Imagine a space where stories of resilience, healing, and rediscovery come alive on the page, facilitated by a fellow survivor, Cinelle Burns, who truly understands the journey. That’s the heart of this program: a supportive workshop series that harnesses the power of writing to foster connection, spark joy, and celebrate the unique voices within our community. The grant covers the full three-year run, ensuring sustained impact and opportunities for growth.

Tennessee

The Brain Injury Association of America – Tennessee Chapter (BIAA-TN) is excited to announce the launch of its statewide Community Council, bringing together corporate partners, survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates to strengthen support for the brain injury community across Tennessee. The council is organized into four working groups—Advocacy, Provider Education, Community Development, and Fundraising—each focused on building capacity, expanding resources, and elevating the needs and voices of Tennesseans living with brain injury.

Early interest and engagement have been strong. Council members are already participating in legislative outreach, identifying gaps in provider training, exploring opportunities for statewide resource development, and helping shape future awareness and outreach efforts. This collaborative model is designed to ensure that BIAATN’s work reflects the diverse perspectives and priorities of individuals and professionals across the state.

There is still time to get involved. Whether you are a community partner, survivor, caregiver, or clinician, your experience and insight can help strengthen life after brain injury in Tennessee.

For more information or to join the BIAA-TN Community Council, contact Stacy Mulder, Executive Director, at smulder@biausa.org or 615-988-9638.