Traumatic Brain Injury

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The disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV) receives federal funds to provide legally based advocacy services to persons with traumatic brain injury. dLCV is committed to:

  •  advancing independence, choice, and self-determination;
  • protecting legal, human, and civil rights;
  • eliminating abuse, neglect, and discrimination of people with TBI and other disabilities.

In this section:

Brain Injury Services in Virginia

The Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV)

BIAV provides information and support statewide to people with brain injury, family members/caregivers, and professionals.  BIAV services include a toll-free help-line; information clearinghouse and resource library; referrals to brain injury-specific and general resources; training and technical assistance to a network of support groups; systems advocacy; educational events; caregiver forum and a recreational camp for adults. 

2810 N. Parham Road, Suite 260
Richmond, VA 23294
804-355-5748
800-444-6443
www.biav.net

Podcast Interview with the Brain Injury Association of Virginia

Welcome to this special episode, where we interview Anne McDonnell, the Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV). dLCV is a huge supporter of BIAV and the work they do across the state for people who have experienced brain injuries.  The mission of the BIAV is to advance education, awareness, support, treatment, and research to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury. They provide outreach and support, education, public awareness, legislative advocacy, and also run Camp Bruce McCoy, a recreational camp in the Chesapeake Bay area. Anne is a wealth of knowledge on brain injuries and we learned so much in this episode.

Organizations Mentioned:

Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

The purpose of DARS is to improve the employment, quality of life, security, and independence of Virginians with disabilities, older Virginians, and their families.

DARS is Virginia’s Lead State Agency for Individuals with Brain Injury

DARS’s Brain Injury Service Coordination Unit (BISCU) unit partners with individuals, advocacy groups, state agencies, and other community entities to improve services and resources for Virginians with brain injury.  BISCU also works collaboratively with the agency’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program when serving individuals with brain injury who have a vocational goal.

BISCU manages over $6 million in programs, contracts, and federal grants involving brain injury services throughout the Commonwealth which includes eight state-funded Brain Injury Services (BIS) Programs:

Podcast Interview with Chris Miller from the Brain Injury Services Coordination Unit at DARS

Today we got to sit down (virtually) with Chris Miller. Chris is the Director of the Brain Injury Services Coordination Unit (BISC) at the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). She shares with us all the awesome work BISC does. DARS is the lead state agency on brain injury. While they do not provide direct services, they provide funding to all the agencies across the state that do provide direct services.

Visit BISC’s website to learn more.  BISC can be reached toll-free at 1-800-552-5019 and they can help get you connected with the right resources.

Organizations Mentioned:

Virginia Brain Injury Council (VBIC)

VBIC was created in 1986 as a statewide, interagency advisory council comprised of individuals with brain injury; family members; healthcare professionals; service providers; state agency representatives; and other ad hoc advisory members.  The Council promotes accessible, affordable, and appropriate services for Virginians with brain injury and their families by advising DARS and the stakeholder community of ongoing critical needs.

Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative

The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to improving the treatment and care of Virginians with traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries. Through the establishment of the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative (CNI) Trust Fund, administered by a governor-appointed Advisory Board, funds are available to Virginia-based organizations, institutions and researchers to address the needs of people with acquired neurotrauma. The Advisory Board disburses CNI funds through a grant application process for research proposals and innovative community-based rehabilitation programs.

Resources and Helpful Links

Brainline

BrainLine is a national multimedia project offering information and resources about preventing, treating, and living with TBI. BrainLine includes a series of webcasts, an electronic newsletter, and an extensive outreach campaign in partnership with national organizations concerned about traumatic brain injury.

Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA)

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is the leading national organization serving and representing individuals, families and professionals who are touched by a life-altering, often devastating, traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Centers for Disease Control – Traumatic Brain Injury

Everyone is at risk for a traumatic brain injury (TBI), especially children and older adults. CDC’s research and programs work to prevent TBIs and help people recognize, respond, and recover if a TBI occurs. These pages provide basic information, data and statistics, publications, reports, and fact sheets regarding returning to school following a brain injury and much more.

National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA)

NASHIA assists state governments in promoting partnerships and building systems to meet the needs of individuals with brain injury and their families.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is a part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. It conducts and funds research on brain and nervous system disorders.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace. JAN’s trusted consultants offer one-on-one guidance on workplace accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation, and self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities. Assistance is available both over the phone and online.

Americans with Disabilities (ADA) National Network

Links and associated content are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily constitute an endorsement or an approval by dLCV of the information, services, opinions, or products of the individuals or organizations.