Brain Injury Association of Michigan

Education: many annual programs typically provided by the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (biami) were either cancelled or held on a virtual basis due to the continuing covid pandemic. Our annual one-day fall conference was held virtually for the second straight year and drew over 250 professionals in the field of Brain Injury.

Prevention: this year we were able to participate in the sinas dramis law firm's "lids for kids" bicycle helmet giveaway events in grand rapids and lansing. We also gave away bicycle helmets at the huron valley wellness expo in milford and an event for people with disabilities at therapeutic concepts in troy.

Support services for individuals with a Brain Injury 1) in conjunction with the Brain Injury Association of america, biami continued its partnership as one of the national Brain Injury information centers (nbiic) in 2021. A single nation-wide toll-free number routes calls made in Michigan directly to biami staff. Biami staff also serves as a regional hub for this system during times when national staff is unable to handle calls. 2) support programs include 15 chapters and support groups throughout Michigan that typically meet monthly. However, due to the continuing effects of the covid pandemic, these chapters and support groups did not meet in person until later in the year. Staff responded to nearly 1500 calls on the tollfree telephone line requiring over 600 hours of support. Individualized packets of information were sent to assist families and persons with Brain injuries.3) the survivors' committee met virtually to assist in planning and participating in monthly online social and educational activities and presentations, including monthly biami bingo and biami trivia as well as educational presentations on practical strategies for daily living.4) during 2023, our program outreach coordinator fielded over 350 information and referral calls, while also solidifying strong and collaborative relationships with other disability/advocacy organizations, including disability rights Michigan, mphi, mi disability network, mi disability and resource center, and mi developmental disability council.5) public policy: in cooperation with the Michigan Brain Injury provider council, the citizens action group, we can't wait, and the coalition protecting auto no fault, the biami participated in an aggressive and dedicated effort to educate and encourage state legislators to address specific flaws in the new Michigan nofault law that, if left as is, would have catastrophic consequences on patients and providers.