Brain Injury Association of Iowa

11/18/2025

📢 ACTION ALERT: We need your voice!
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Reauthorization Act has been introduced in the U.S. Senate, and now is the time for us to act. This critical legislation ensures continued federal support for programs that millions of survivors and families rely on for care, research, and recovery.

Without reauthorization, these vital programs could lose funding, putting prevention, data collection, and community services at risk.
The TBI Act would:

• Continue the CDC’s concussion surveillance and prevention initiatives

• Preserve the Administration for Community Living’s State Grant Program

• Support innovation in brain injury prevention and community reintegration

Send a message to your Senators to urge them to cosponsor the TBI Reauthorization Act. Your voice makes the difference. Together, we can make sure Congress keeps brain injury a national priority.

Prepared utilizing the Brain Injury Association of America action alert.

Brain Injury Association of America

11/13/2025

As the federal government reopens, Iowa HHS will issue full SNAP benefits for the month of November.

Benefits are being loaded onto cards now and could be available later today. We anticipate that all SNAP benefits will be issued by Friday, Nov. 14, and recommend that SNAP recipients check their EBT card balances before making a purchase.

You can check your EBT balance by calling the number on the back of your card, 800-359-5802, logging into your ConnectEBT account online, or using the ConnectEBT Mobile app.

11/07/2025

The National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) recently published Examining Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as a Chronic Condition, which shares the proceedings of a workshop held earlier this year on the chronic nature of TBI. The workshop and resulting proceedings analyzed the chronic effects of brain injury by exploring the scientific evidence of the chronic nature of TBI, examining rehabilitative care and specialized services for people with long-term effects of TBI, and identifying opportunities to advance research and improve care. Read more about the workshop and its findings here: https://bit.ly/4oBP1fu

11/07/2025

Consider inviting your elected officials or those campaigning. This looks to be a great line up with good conversation about policy impacting Iowans with disability.

In person seats are nearly full, grab a virtual seat and join us!

ONE WEEK AWAY! Join the Iowa Disability Policy Alliance for a panel discussion, resource fair, and networking reception on 11/13 at the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center. Hear from Iowa leaders on the state of disability policy at the federal, state, and local levels and how the disability community is being affected. Learn more and register now: http://bit.ly/4oav4fy

11/05/2025

The Brain Injury Association of Iowa is engaging in this exciting event and encourage you to consider sharing with policy makers, decision makers and legislators. This group is working to promote a space of conversation and innovation related to the disability community here in Iowa.

Join the Iowa Disability Policy Alliance for a panel discussion, resource fair, and networking reception on 11/13. Hear from Iowa leaders on the state of disability legislation at the federal, state, and local levels and how the disability community is being affected. Learn more and register now: http://bit.ly/4oav4fy

11/04/2025

🛑 Have you registered for our virtual caregiver workshop? Don't miss out on this great line up!

📌 Use this link to register! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83671051301?pwd=36gViXVGcDgznUGlfpJMGmjibcmarY.1

👀 at the updated agenda below:

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM:
“Get to Know Easterseals Iowa Assistive Technology Program”
Benjamin Wiegel
Rural Solutions/Assistive Technology, Easterseals

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM:
“From Fatigue to Fulfillment: Thriving as a Caregiver”
Christopher Hager, LMHC IADC
Anastasia Counseling Services – Mason City

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: IVRS
“Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services: How Can We Help”
Brain Warner, MSW
Supervisor, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services – Mason City

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM:
Angie Rodamaker
Disability Services Coordinator, Central Iowa Community Services
Central Iowa Community Services

11/03/2025

🚨 SCHEDULING CHANGE 🚨

NOW VIRTUAL EVENT! REGISTER TODAY!

Our BIAIA Fall 2025 Caregiver Workshop that was scheduled for this coming Thursday, November 6th from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM in Mason City will now be held VIRTUALLY from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. We apologize for this change.

👉🏻 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xiRL_nCyRq-illNJAsQvAg #/

🕙 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
“Get to Know Easterseals Iowa Assistive Technology Program”

Benjamin Wiegel 🎤
Statewide Professional, Rural Solutions/Assistive Technology

🕚 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
“From Fatigue to Fulfillment: Thriving as a Caregiver”

Christopher Hager, LMHC IADC 🎤
Anastasi Counseling Services – Mason City

🕛 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
“Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services: How Can We Help?”

Brian Warner, MSW 🎤
Supervisor, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services – Mason City

🕐 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
“Understanding DAP Services: Connecting Caregivers and Support Systems”

Angie Rodamaker 🎤
Disability Services Navigator, Central Iowa Community Services

10/31/2025

“The most beautiful souls are those who survive the fire and return with water for those still struggling within it.”

At BIAIA, we know the journey of living with brain injury can feel overwhelming. That’s why our support groups exist: safe, welcoming spaces where survivors, caregivers, and families can share their stories, feel seen, and find strength in one another. ❤️

Find a support group near you: https://biaia.org/services/support-groups/

10/30/2025

🚨 SCHEDULING CHANGE 🚨

Our BIAIA Fall 2025 Caregiver Workshop that was scheduled for next Thursday, November 6th from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM in Mason City will now be held VIRTUALLY from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. We apologize for this change.

👉🏻 Register here: https://biai.memberclicks.net/regcaregiverworkshop

🕙 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
“Get to Know Easterseals Iowa Assistive Technology Program”

Benjamin Wiegel 🎤
Statewide Professional, Rural Solutions/Assistive Technology

🕚 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
“From Fatigue to Fulfillment: Thriving as a Caregiver”

Christopher Hager, LMHC IADC 🎤
Anastasi Counseling Services – Mason City

🕛 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
“Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services: How Can We Help?”

Brian Warner, MSW 🎤
Supervisor, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services – Mason City

🕐 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
“Understanding DAP Services: Connecting Caregivers and Support Systems”

Angie Rodamaker 🎤
Disability Services Navigator, Central Iowa Community Services

10/29/2025

Brain Injury Resource Facilitation (formerly Neuro Resource Facilitation) is a fee‑free, phone-based service designed to support Iowans navigating life after brain injury, including survivors, caregivers, family, friends, and professionals supporting those with brain injury. 🧠🤝🏻

BIRF connects you to education, referrals to services and supports, empowers self‑advocacy, and offers emotional support when it matters most. ❤️

For more information on BIRF: https://biaia.org/services/neuro-resource-facilitation/

Access is simple:
📞 Call 855‑444‑6483
📧 Email info@biaia.org
🌐 Fill out the online referral form here: https://biaia.org/services/neuro-resource-facilitation/

10/29/2025

🧠 Empathy in Action: Brain Injury Simulation Experience ❤️

📢 The Brain Injury Association of Iowa is excited to announce a unique and powerful Brain Injury Simulation Experience at our upcoming conference on Thursday, March 12th and Friday, March 13th in West Des Moines, Iowa.

This hands-on experience will provide conference attendees with the opportunity to connect directly with survivors of brain injury and gain insight into the daily challenges they face. Survivors, alongside their caregivers (if they wish), will host simulation stations during conference meal and break times where they’ll:

📌 Share their stories: Describe specific symptoms like one-sided weakness and how these impact daily life.

📌 Guide interactive activities: Offer brief, tangible experiences that simulate living with a brain injury, such as writing with your non-dominant hand to understand one-sided weakness.

📌 Foster empathy and awareness: Engage attendees in meaningful conversations about the realities of living with a brain injury.

If you are a survivor and would like to participate, please fill out this form and submit your proposal for consideration: https://forms.office.com/r/rz7RpjnYZv

🤝 Together, let’s increase awareness and empathy around living with a brain injury! ❤️

10/29/2025

Join us on December 3rd from 12:00-1:00 PM CST on National Day of Persons with Disabilities for a webinar on how Disability Rights Iowa can help Iowans navigate life after brain injury.

FREE CEU through the Iowa Board of Certification!

An online ASL interpreter will be available for this event.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tknKBoPiTXi1lD1bl03ceg #/registration