National Association of State Head Injury Administrators - Nashia

⏰ Reminder: Hotel Reservation Deadline Approaching! ⏰

If you’re joining us for the State of the States in Brain Injury Conference, don’t forget to secure your hotel room before the deadline! 🛏️

Rooms are filling up fast, and the last day to reserve at the special conference rate is August 30th.

Please visit our SOS webpage for the details on available hotels:
https://www.nashia.org/sos2024

Make sure you have a comfortable stay while you connect, learn, and collaborate with other professionals in the brain injury community. See you there!

Whether your state has a registry that collects data related to brain injury incidence and resources provided, you are working to create a registry in your state or exploring additional data collection options, NASHIA can provide consultation and support to ensure that your efforts to collect vital data are consistent with and relevant to national trends.

To learn more about NASHIA technical assistance offerings, visit:
https://www.nashia.org/technical-assistance

This national webinar — the third hosted by the Grassroots Project — will bring together state and local advocates and coalitions to discuss best practices for establishing common goals and collaborating to achieve them, and for ensuring disabled people are leading the charge to drive change. You will hear from ABLE South Carolina, Disability Policy Consortium Massachusetts, and the Ohio Olmstead Task Force on how working in cross-disability, disability-led, and community-driven frameworks propels disability advocacy forward and creates momentum for advancing disability rights.

Learn more and register:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UXXs5MVHTBCYZmPh8v5X9g #/registration

📅 Please Join Us: Annual Membership Meeting!

We welcome everybody to join us, NASHIA membership is not required to attend.

This is your opportunity to:

- Hear updates on our programs and impact
- Meet our dedicated team and fellow members
- Learn about what's in store for 2025

See you there!

🔗 RSVP Here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkc-uspjMrE9Tb70m6bFRNKGcOnJbDrjnj #/registration

🌟🎉 Thank to The Shaken Baby Alliance for being a Premiere Sponsor at the 2024 State of the States in Brain Injury Conference! 🌟🎉

The Shaken Baby Alliance was started over 25 years ago by three mothers whose children were victims of shaken baby syndrome. Their mission is to provide SUPPORT for victim families and professionals, PREVENTION of child and elder abuse, and JUSTICE for the innocent victims.

💫 NASHIA is thankful to get to know The Shaken Baby Alliance, for their support of the SOS Conference, and for their advocacy in this important area to help prevent brain injury. 🧠

To learn more about The Shaken Baby Alliance, please visit:
https://www.shakenbaby.org

To learn more about SOS or becoming a sponsor, visit:
https://www.nashia.org/sos2024

It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of Congressman Bill Pascrell. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, staff, and all who had the privilege of working with him. His departure is a tremendous loss to the brain injury community.

Congressman Pascrell's legacy is deeply intertwined with his unwavering commitment to individuals with brain injuries. As the founder of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force in 2001, he provided a powerful voice to support people with brain injury. Each year under his leadership, the Task Force held Brain Injury Awareness Day on Capitol Hill, which was fueled by his tireless advocacy for this cause. His leadership was essential to the passage of the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Act in 2008, 2014, and 2018, the only federal legislation dedicated specifically to address the needs of civilians with brain injury. This law has created and enhanced state systems of support, impacting the lives of countless individuals and families.

This year, Congressman Pascrell led efforts to pass the TBI Program Reauthorization Act through the House Energy and Commerce Committee with strong resolve to include provisions for which the community and people with lived experience advocated. Each year, his dedication to securing funding for TBI Act programs underscored his commitment to improving care and services for those affected by brain injuries.

His advocacy extended to the recent TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act, a crucial piece of legislation that is now enhancing the work of the Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control in addressing brain injury within the criminal justice system. This legislation, which he shepherded with great determination, reflects his deep understanding and respect for the needs of individuals with lived experiences.

Congressman Pascrell's legacy as a true champion for people with brain injuries will be remembered with immense gratitude and respect. NASHIA feels this profound loss deeply and is grateful for the years of partnership that we have had with the Congressman to support our community. We honor his memory by continuing the vital work he championed, inspired by his enduring commitment to those who need it most.

May you embrace your differences every day, and also have the good fortune to embrace them in others.

🌟🎉 Thank to TBI Warrior Foundation for being a Premiere Sponsor at the 2024 State of the States in Brain Injury Conference! 🌟🎉

Founded in 2018, the mission of TBI Warrior® Foundation is to improve the quality of life of veterans, civilians, and children living with brain injury and their caregivers through community integration, education, and advancement programs.

💫 NASHIA is grateful for our new connection with TBI Warrior Foundation, for their support of the SOS Conference, and for their commitment to reducing hardships for survivors of brain injury. 🧠

To learn more about TBI Warrior Foundation, please visit:
https://www.tbiwarriorfoundation.org/

To learn more about SOS or becoming a sponsor, visit:
https://www.nashia.org/sos2024

Coming up soon! 🌟

Registration closes August 26th! Don’t miss your chance to join us at the 2024 SOS Conference, where we’ll come together to shape the future of brain injury services and support. Register now to connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and help drive meaningful change.

🗓️ Event Date: September 16-19, 2024
📍 Location: Eugene, OR
🔗 Register here: https://www.nashia.org/sos2024

Secure your spot today!

In recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month, please join Administration for Community Living and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a webinar on CDC’s fall 2024-winter 2025 guidance on COVID-19, flu, and RSV for older adults and people with disabilities. This webinar is for aging and disability network stakeholders who are providing services to support vaccinations for older adults and people with disabilities in their local communities. Attendees will learn about the most recent guidance issued from CDC, including vaccine recommendations, preventive measures, and treatment options available, as well as resources to support older adults and people with disabilities.

Learn more and get registered:
https://hhsgov.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_-hNQdIIYQauU6nnStoNvnQ #/registration

NASHIA was excited to join the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges for their 87th annual conference in July!

Held in Phoenix this year, the conference offered a great lineup of collaborative and networking opportunities.

Judy Dettmer, NASHIA Director of Technical Assistance and Special Projects, and Rebeccah Wolfkiel, NASHIA Executive Director, presented "Navigating Unseen Challenges: Empowering Youth in Justice and Welfare Systems with Brain Injury Strategies."

Thank you to the NCJFCJ for hosting us and for assisting us in getting the word out about the intersection between brain injury and the criminal justice system.

To learn more about the NCJFCJ, visit:
https://www.ncjfcj.org/

📢 Last Call for Registration! 🕒

This is your final chance to register and gain essential skills to turn complex data into clear, impactful visuals. Whether you're a state employee, part of an advocacy organization, a professional in brain injury services, or simply interested in enhancing your data presentation skills, this workshop is for you!

Register now:
https://www.nashia.org/calendar #!event/2024/8/22/basic-principles-of-data-visualization-effective-messaging-and-best-practices

🌟 Check it out! 🌟

The summer edition of THE Challenge! is available from the Brain Injury Association of America. 📖💡

This issue has a special focus on "5 Years of Progress with the Brain Injury Research Fund." 🧠💪

THE Challenge! - Research View the contents of the 5 Years of Progress with the Brain Injury Research Fund edition of THE Challenge!

🌟🎉 Thank to LifeStreams for being a Premiere Sponsor at the 2024 State of the States in Brain Injury Conference! 🌟🎉

LifeStreams is a leader in the field of rehabilitative therapies and other related services, and aims to help patients live their lives...their way. LifeStreams staff includes Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Cognitive Therapists, Behavioral Therapists, Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors certified in brain injury, and also clinical addiction and seasoned field staff. They focus on a wholistic approach. They believe that a person is more that just the sum of their parts, and likewise a person’s life is more than just one situation or time period of their life. To live a happy fulfilling life, everyone needs to seek a healthy lifestyle…physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually...whatever each of those mean to them. Only then will they truly reach our personal goals, and maintain their independence and lessen dependence on supports later in life.

💫 NASHIA is thankful for the ongoing support from LifeStreams, both as an SOS sponsor and also a NASHIA Supporting Organization Member, and for their dedication to quality care for brain injury survivors. 🧠

To learn more about LifeStreams, please visit:
http://mylifestreams.com/

To learn more about SOS or becoming a sponsor, visit:
https://www.nashia.org/sos2024

Happening this Thursday! Join NASHIA for a webinar on effective communication between State Brain Injury Agencies and Brain Injury Advisory Councils. This session will provide information for state agencies to better engage with people with lived experience. Learn tips on setting clear expectations, creating inclusive spaces, and working together to educate other state agencies and legislators about the importance of brain injury policy and programs.

Missed the first session? No problem! Each session stands on its own.

Learn more and register:
https://www.nashia.org/trainings/session2-facilitating-effective-communication

🌟 New! 🌟 Revised information on the identification and management of brain injury within a corrections setting, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Get all the information at:
https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/health-equity/correctional-facilities.html

ICYMI - a huge win for the brain injury community! 🧠 🎉

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Officially Recognizes Brain Injury as a Chronic Condition Fairfax, Va. – In a victory for the brain injury community, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recognized traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a chronic health condition. CMS has added TBI to its list of chronic conditions for chronic special needs plans (C-SNPs) through its Medic...

Act fast! The application deadline is August 23rd.

📚 Calling All Students and Emerging Researchers! ✨ Enhance the brain injury field and gain professional recognition by submitting a poster presentation for the annual State of the States in Brain Injury Conference in Eugene, OR on September 17, 2024. Our event brings state leaders together, alongside brain injury advocacy organizations, partners, researchers, and providers.

Poster presentations can cover any research project related to the field of brain injury. Submissions will be voted on during the conference by attendees and a winning submission will be selected. Poster presentation titles and presenters will be listed in the conference app and the selected winner will be featured on the NASHIA website.

Learn more:
https://bit.ly/4b8U8MF

Registration is now OPEN for our September two-part webinar series, "Building Stronger Brain Injury Medicaid Programs."

The goal of these trainings is to learn how to enhance your state’s brain injury Medicaid program by effectively incorporating advocate and public feedback, and to effectively engage in the public comment process and maximize your impact on the service delivery system for people with brain injury.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and connect with other advocates working to improve the lives of people with brain injuries.

Register for Session One:
https://www.nashia.org/trainings/session-one-building-stronger-brain-injury-medicaid-programs

Register for Session Two:
https://www.nashia.org/trainings/session-two-building-stronger-brain-injury-medicaid-programs

🌟🎉 Thank to the Minds Matter Concussion Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for being the Pre-Conferece Sponsor at the 2024 State of the States in Brain Injury Conference! 🌟🎉

Children, teens and young adults suffering from a concussion can find expert concussion treatment in the Minds Matter Concussion Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Their specialized pediatric concussion program provides cutting-edge concussion diagnostics and therapies, and is designed to help patients, families, healthcare providers, school staff and coaches recognize the signs and symptoms of concussions, and support physician-guided recovery with a focus on improving long-term outcomes and preventing future concussions.

💫 NASHIA would like to express our sincere thanks to CHPMMCP for their support for the SOS Conference, and for offering wonderful programs to pediactric survivors of brain injury and their families. 🧠

To learn more about CHPMMCP, please visit:
https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/concussion-program

To learn more about SOS or becoming a sponsor, visit:
https://www.nashia.org/sos2024

If you are a professional interested in participating in our upcoming complimentary brain injury workforce development educational workshop, you can register online (for this and other professional development training) by visiting biama.org/forprofessionals.

🌟 🧠 The 2024 version of the Colorado REAP Concussion Protocols is available to view! 🧠 🌟

REAP is a community-based concussion management approach that stands for:

✅ Remove/Reduce
✅ Educate
✅ Adjust/Accommodate
✅ Pace

Developed in Colorado in 2009, REAP has since been customized for numerous states and organizations to contain their own local experts, their local student story, and local resources.

Check out NASHIA's newly re-designed REAP website to view the protocols and learn more about how a customized REAP product can work for your state:
https://www.nashia.org/reap

Happening this Tuesday! Join NASHIA for this webinar to get the tools you need to effectively engage with state agencies, ensuring your voice is impactful and heard.

Learn more and register:
https://www.nashia.org/trainings/session-1-facilitating-effective-communication

🚀 New Online Ethics Course Alert! 🚀

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new self-paced Ethics Course, now available online! 🎉 "Ethical Practice as a Framework for Professional Development & Advancing Technology" offers comprehensive insights into ethical decision-making and best practices in the field.

Act fast! This opportunity is only available until April 9, 2025!

🧠 What to Expect:
✅ In-depth modules on key ethical principles
✅ Real-world case studies and scenarios
✅ Flexible, self-paced learning

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and make a positive impact in the lives of those you serve. Enroll now and take your professional development to the next level! 5 hours of Social Work or CRC Ethics CEs included with cost.

👉 Register Here: https://www.nashia.org/ethics-course #!form/EthicsWorkshop2024

Join the ACL-funded National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) for their upcoming webinar, "Dementia Friendly Clark County, Nevada: What Happens in Vegas Affects the World."

Dementia Friendly Clark County is a grassroots initiative dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by dementia in the Las Vegas Valley. The initiative focuses on strengthening local communities to become more respectful, educated, supportive, and inclusive of people living with dementia and care partners.

Learn how the initiative’s impact isn't confined to just the local community. By offering dementia awareness training to Las Vegas hotels and the international airport, they are extending their reach globally. This presentation will illustrate how implementing dementia awareness in one of the world's most renowned tourist destinations transcends community outreach, fostering a worldwide impact.

Learn more and register:
https://rtiorg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Pdfapzm0SPCL2kenSL-LyQ #/registration

⏳ Last chance! ⏳ Today is the last day to order cardigans and polo shirts from the NASHIA store. Get your NASHIA threads for Threads Thursday at SOS 2024!

https://www.nashia.org/store

Ready to make an entrance at SOS in some brand new NASHIA threads? Head on over to our merchandise store to place your order today!

NASHIA will be hosting a Threads Thursday during the conference, so make sure to place your order soon to be part of the fun. You can have your order shipped to you, or select the option to pickup in Eugene at SOS (if you order is placed in July).

The NASHIA store is open to anybody who would like to make purchase, not just those attending SOS.

New items available in this year's store include a men's style polo shirt, women's cardigan, water bottle, and coaster.

We hope to see all of you rockin' some stylish NASHIA gear!

Place your order at the NASHIA store here:
https://www.nashia.org/store

🌟🎉 Thank to Brookhaven NeuroRehabilitation Network for being a Signature Sponsor at the 2024 State of the States in Brain Injury Conference! 🌟🎉

Brookhaven NeuroRehabilitation Network (BNN) offers a range of services designed to treat adults with behavioral health and substance abuse issues, complicated with acquired/traumatic brain injuries. BNN offers comprehensive services ranging from secure in-patient care (NRI at Brookhaven Hospital) to residential and community reintegration (CNR of Oklahoma/CNR of Iowa). BNN’s treatment plans provide intensive neurocognitive rehabilitation delivered by an interdisciplinary team, including professionals in PT/OT/ST, Psychotherapy, Pharmacy, Psychiatry, Dietary/Nutrition, Internal Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work. These tailored treatment plans address various cognitive deficits, such as executive functioning, behavior self-regulation, seizure management, substance abuse treatment, independent living skills, problem-solving, and discharge planning.

💫 NASHIA is very grateful to BNN for their continued support of NASHIA's mission and programs, for their support for the SOS Conference, and for the difference they make in the brain injury community. 🧠

To learn more about Brookhaven NeuroRehabilitation Network, please visit:
https://traumaticbraininjury.net/

To learn more about SOS or becoming a sponsor, visit:
https://www.nashia.org/sos2024