Programs, Services, and Support

The Brain Injury Association supports thousands of survivors, family members and professionals each year through the following programs and services:

• Support Groups:  provide education, recreation and support for persons with brain injury and family members throughout Colorado.
  
  
• Community Education and Prevention Programs:  raise awareness of brain injury problems and issues via presentations, exhibits and educational publications.
  
  
• Peer Advocates: assist survivors of brain injury and their families to develop skills in assertive communication, interpersonal relationships and financial resources.
  
  
• Adult Recreational Program:  a week-long outdoor recreational and social experience for survivors working one-on-one with trained counselors.
  
  
• Annual Conference: features educational presentations on brain injury and networking opportunities for survivors, family members and professionals.
  
  
• Resource Library:  reference materials for all those interested in brain injuries.
  
  
• Quarterly Newsletter:  sent to over 2,000 survivors, family members, hospitals, support groups and interested parties.
  
  
• Public Policy Development:  support state and federal programs that benefit brain injury survivors and advocacy with legislators to increase benefits for persons with a traumatic brain injury.
  
  
• Volunteer Opportunities:  provides opportunities for community members to assist BIAC with office projects, answering telephones, advocacy, community education, camp counseling, event planning, fund raising, transportation, and community work.
  
  
• Resource Directory: provides online access to resources twenty-four hours a day.
  
  
• Utility Assistance:  BIAC is proud to be a charitable agency for Energy Outreach Colorado.  EOC grant funding allows us to provide utility assistance to qualified survivors and family members once a year.
  
  
• Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund: offers one year of care coordination and up to $2,000 in pre-approved services to eligible participants.  BIAC is contracted to handle application and eligibility for the program.
  
  
• CIRCLE (Colorado Information, Resource Coordination, linkage & Education) Network: groups of professionals across the state, who meet to discuss and strengthen the system of care for the  individuals with brain injuries.
  
  
• 800# Information Line:  provides information, support and resources (800) 955-2443.
  
  
• Self-Advocacy and Independent Life (SAIL) Program: BIAC is resurrecting the program for Self-Advocacy and Independent Life (SAIL) in 2008 through a grant provided by the TBI Trust Fund. The Self Advocacy for Independent Life program is designed to help people with brain injuries and their families learn to advocate for themselves.  
  The program will involve:
  1. A self advocacy workbook
  2. Self advocacy workshops held throughout the state
  3. Training of peer advocates to assist other people with brain injury in their self advocacy efforts
  In addition, BIAC is developing an Education Website for all aspects of TBI education, along with modular editions of the SAIL workbook. In addition, BIAC is developing an Education Website for all aspects of TBI education, along with modular editions of the SAIL workbook.
  
  
• Survivor Identification Cards: development and distribution of cards to increase awareness and assist individuals with brain injuries in difficult public situations.
  
  
• Section 8 Housing Coordination: BIAC works closely with Supportive Housing and Homeless Program (SHHP) of the Colorado Department of Human Services to assist individuals with Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. The wait list for Section 8 through BIAC is currently closed. However, we are regularly checking the status of the Section 8 wait list for Housing Authorities throughout the state of Colorado The amount of assistance is based on an individual’s income resulting in affordable housing.