Program areas at BIAA
Public awareness - biaa leads the nation in raising awareness and understanding about Brain Injury through its award-winning website, www.biausa.org, robust social media following and sought-after public speakers. The publications offered by biaa are available in print and digital format and include fact sheets, quarterly newsmagazines, and informational brochures. During 2023, biaa's #morethanmybraininjury awareness campaign was held during Brain Injury awareness month. The campaign helped the public understand the many causes of Brain Injury while empowering Brain Injury individuals and families to tell their story to dispel common myths and misconceptions.
Affiliate services - biaa provides leadership, technical assistance, operational best practices, and individualized fundraising training and consultation to a nationwide network of chartered state affiliates, divisions, local chapters, and support groups across the country to meet the needs of all those whose lives are affected by Brain Injury.
Education, training, and research - biaa educates Brain Injury survivors, caregivers and professionals every year through several programs. These include free and low-cost webinars, in-person conferences, and specialized resources and materials. Biaa's academy of certified Brain Injury specialists (acbis) provides programs that allow individuals an opportunity to learn important information about Brain Injury and earn a nationally recognized credential. Acbis programs provide education, training, certification, and ongoing resources for specialists in the Brain Injury community. Current acbis programs include certified Brain Injury specialist (cbis), certified Brain Injury specialist trainer (cbist) and provisional certified Brain Injury specialist (pcbis) certification programs, as well as the Brain Injury fundamentals certificate program. Biaa's acbis programs continue to grow the certification program offerings to meet the needs of the Brain Injury rehabilitation community. Biaa accelerates research and the discovery of cures by awarding grants to dissertation candidates, young investigators, and Brain Injury scholars across the country. Biaa's staff and leaders are key partners in advising researchers and disseminating findings.
Government relations and advocacy - biaa and its network of advocates educate federal policymakers throughout the year by informing them about life-saving research, access to healthcare, civil rights, and financial security for people with Brain injuries. During 2023, biaa assisted the congressional Brain Injury task force in conducting the 22nd annual Brain Injury awareness day on capitol hill, which was held in march; it consisted of in-person meetings for selected constituents that biaa arranged for with various law makers. Biaa keeps its constituents abreast of relevant public policy through its free weekly e-newsletter, policy corner.
Individual and family services - biaa operates the toll-free national Brain Injury information center (nbiic), which connects callers to a trained specialist who is compassionate and knowledgeable about local resources. Nbiic offers information in both english and spanish. Biaa responds to inquiries for personalized assistance. The people biaa helps range from families struggling with a child in a coma to caregivers wondering how to support a loved one who was injured many years ago.