Brain Injury Association of Iowa

02/19/2026

Well done advocates! Exciting to see the daily presence of advocates with disabilities lobbying their legislators at the State Capitol. Today a Senate subcommittee unanimously passed a bill expanding the Medicaid for Employed Persons with Disabilities (Senate File 2315). It now needs to be voted on by the full Senate Health and Human Services Committee tomorrow, or it dies. Right now it's not on the list - you can email the full committee now and ask that they add SF 2315 to the HHS Committee List tomorrow! https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/committee?ga=91&groupID=328

02/18/2026

📣 Don't miss out! Online Registration closes MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd at NOON CST! 📣

The 2026 agenda is one you won’t want to miss!!! This year find us taking in some great speakers, a little half time fun r🎟 and networking together!

Join us March 3–4, 2026 in West Des Moines, Iowa and grab your seat today. 💺

Find registration information, logistics, agenda, speaker pages and more opportunities to participate at https://biai.memberclicks.net/2026conference #/

🎉We’re excited to see you March 3rd & 4th and look forward to another meaningful gathering. If you have any questions or need support with registration, please don’t hesitate to connect with us at info@biaia.org— we’re here to help.

BIAIA Conference Planning Committee

02/17/2026

Today we honor the life and legacy of Kay Marlene (Ewert) Graber (1936–2026), whose compassion and leadership helped shape the brain injury movement in our nation. In response to the lack of information and support for individuals and families affected by brain trauma, Kay and other families organized a local support group that grew into a state organization — one of the two founding chapters of the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA).

Kay’s work didn’t stop there — her advocacy at both the state and federal level helped raise awareness, improve services, and give a voice to those touched by brain injury. She was a true pioneer whose efforts laid the foundation for our national association and for the Brain Injury Association of Iowa, ensuring that families across the country would no longer face this journey alone.

We are forever grateful for her vision, courage, and tireless dedication. Her legacy lives on in the lives she changed and the community she helped build. 🧠💙

Kay Marlene (Ewert) Graber, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2026, at the Hallmark Care Center, with her family present. She is survived by her husband Cot; sons, David (Brian Victor) and Jack (Patricia Alvarez); grandsons, Alex, Alan, and Andrés; her bro...

02/13/2026

Check this one out! and Don't miss registration deadlines for the 34th annual conference!

Christopher Hager, MA, LMHC, Clinical Therapist with Counseling Services in Mason City, Iowa. With nearly two decades of experience in the mental health field, he has presented at the Iowa Governor’s Conference, the Iowa Mental Health Conference, and has delivered numerous professional workshops for local agencies and clinical organizations.

This session, From Fatigue to Fulfillment: Thriving as a Caregiver, explores the emotional experiences of helping professionals and caregivers, highlighting how joy, purpose, and connection coexist with the challenges of stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma. It outlines the systemic and personal factors that contribute to caregiver strain and offers practical skills, such as boundary-setting, mindset shifts, and mindfulness strategies, to foster resilience. The session ultimately guides participants toward rediscovering joy, building healthy habits, and creating sustainable balance in both their professional and personal lives.

Register today at https://whova.com/web/0%40xxK8Bux1IrU3ER5V9ruqcLsc44kU5gKUOLrFgZdnk%3D/Speakers/

02/12/2026

Brenda Easter, Chairperson of the Iowa HHS Brain Injury Advisory Committee and
Maggie Ferguson, MS, CRC, CBIST, Disability & Injury Prevention Project Director with the Department of Health and Human Services has spent approximately 30 years in various capacities advocating for and supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. In her current role, Maggie leads statewide initiatives related to health equity for individuals with disabilities and for the prevention of unintentional injury, including the management of youth concussion and prevention of older adult falls. In addition to her duties at Iowa HHS, Maggie currently serves on the Board for the Association of State Head Injury Administrators - Nashia.

Check out Maggie's session, Iowa's Game Plan: The 2026-2030 State Plan for Brain Injury, In 2025, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) Brain Injury Program conducted a comprehensive statewide needs assessment to guide the development of the 2026–2030 Iowa State Plan for Brain Injury. This session will provide an overview of the assessment process, including the data sources and stakeholder input that informed the plan.

Attendees will learn about the plan’s key priorities and intended impact on individuals with brain injury and their families. The session will also highlight methods used to engage individuals with lived experience, family members, service providers, and other community stakeholders. Participants will receive a copy of the final State Plan and gain insight into how it will shape brain injury services and supports across Iowa over the next five years.

Learn more about Maggie's session and register today at https://whova.com/web/0%40xxK8Bux1IrU3ER5V9ruqcLsc44kU5gKUOLrFgZdnk%3D/Speakers/

02/12/2026

Register today to secure your seat today to hear from William Courtney, DO Student
Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences

William serves on a student research team, mentored by Drs. Bell and Summerfield from Des Moines University's Mentored Student Research Program (MSRP). And will be presenting on Implementation of Concussion Protocols in Iowa Public Schools: Perspectives from Kindergarten through 6th Grade School Personnel

https://whova.com/web/0%40xxK8Bux1IrU3ER5V9ruqcLsc44kU5gKUOLrFgZdnk%3D/

02/10/2026

Heather Eldridge, OTR/L, CBIST, Regional Director with has been with Minds Matter since 2016 to support those navigating community re-integration after brain injury. She is currently a regional director overseeing HCBS BI waiver services in Kansas. Heather’s passion is breaking down complex systems, coordinating with stakeholders, and assisting BI survivors with sustainable solutions for independent living.

This session, Therapy Considerations for Navigating Homelessness and Housing Insecurity After Brain Injury, will address Policy, Systems Change, & Cross-Sector CoordinationSpecial Populations. This presentation offers a comprehensive guide for therapists, caregivers, and healthcare professionals when addressing housing insecurity and homelessness after brain injury.

Come learn about guiding frameworks: Participants will be introduced to prominent models like "Housing First," an evidence-based approach that emphasizes providing immediate access to housing without preconditions. Homelessness initiatives: Information will be shared on how to access various housing and homelessness resources. Subsidized housing landscape: The presentation will provide a clear overview of the various subsidized housing programs available. This will help practitioners navigate these complex systems and identify potential resources for clients and Therapist toolkit: A practical toolkit will be assembled, offering therapists actionable strategies, resources, and communication techniques for supporting clients experiencing housing insecurity.

Check out registration before it's too late! Learn more about Heather's session and more at https://whova.com/web/0%40xxK8Bux1IrU3ER5V9ruqcLsc44kU5gKUOLrFgZdnk%3D/Speakers/

02/09/2026

Kevin Dalin, CRC, ATP

Kevin is the Assistant Director of Rural Rehabilitation/Assistive TechnEasterseals @ . He earned a Master's Degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from Drake University. He also earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and Assistive Technology Professional. He has supported Iowans with assistive technology since 2013. He has been involved in numerous advocacy boards including Disability Rights Iowa Board (DRI), Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), Iowa Olmstead Consumer Taskforce Committee Member (OCTF), and others.

Kevin's session, Empowering Recovery: Practical Assistive Technology Strategies for Brain Injury, will focus on how Assistive Technology (AT) can help people with brain injuries live more safely and independently. We will start by giving you an overview of the Easterseals Iowa Assistive Technology Program and show how we can become part of your support team. Next, we’ll share examples of devices and systems to show what’s possible for learning, working, playing, and staying active in your community. Finally, we’ll help you make a simple game plan so you can take your first step toward reaching one of your personal goals. Join us to discover practical ways AT can support recovery and improve daily life.

Learn more and register at

March 3 – 4, 2026, West Des Moines, IA

02/09/2026

📣 Don't miss out! The hotel block closes TOMORROW Monday, February 9th!

The 2026 agenda is one you won’t want to miss!!! This year find us taking in some great speakers, a little half time fun and networking together!

Join us March 3–4, 2026 13 in West Des Moines, Iowa and snag your hotel room today. Stay right in the hotel where your breakfast, lunch, sessions and reception will be held!

Register today and book your hotel room BEFORE February 9th to ensure you get the best rate they offer! and bring a friend when you register at https://biai.memberclicks.net/2026conference #/

We’re excited to see you in March and look forward to another meaningful gathering. If you have any questions or need support with registration, please don’t hesitate to connect with us — we’re here to help.

BIAIA Conference Planning Committee

02/08/2026

📣 Don't miss out! The hotel block closes Monday, February 9th!

The 2026 agenda is one you won’t want to miss!!! This year find us taking in some great speakers, a little half time fun and networking together!

Join us March 3–4, 2026 13 in West Des Moines, Iowa and snag your hotel room today. Stay right in the hotel where your breakfast, lunch, sessions and reception will be held!

Register today and book your hotel room BEFORE February 9th to ensure you get the best rate they offer! and bring a friend when you register at https://biai.memberclicks.net/2026conference #/

We’re excited to see you in March and look forward to another meaningful gathering. If you have any questions or need support with registration, please don’t hesitate to connect with us — we’re here to help.

BIAIA Conference Planning Committee

02/06/2026

Don't miss this session with Heather Brooks, Program Director with

Discover how post-acute and outpatient On With Life rehabilitation, IVRS (Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services), Support for Careers at Children & Families of Iowa (S4C@CFI), and Title I WIOA programs come together to help individuals with brain injuries rebuild their lives through meaningful work.

We’ll feature the inspiring story of Ben Weigel, who, after battling Guillain–Barré syndrome and initially unable to move his hands or feet, regained function through On With Life’s comprehensive residential neuro‑rehabilitation and outpatient support.

Driven to return to work, Ben shifted career goals—and, through a Title I‑funded internship organized and supported by On With Life, IVRS, Title 1 and Children & Families of Iowa, he gained real marketing experience: creating social media content, organizing a "can‑struction" drive, and building a portfolio.
With additional support from IVRS and Children & Families of Iowa, he landed a job with Easterseals Iowa Assistive Tech/Rural Solutions helping others with disabilities. It was a true testament to effective collaboration across systems.

The session will also introduce Cole Anderson, currently serving as a Job Coach at Children & Families of Iowa. Cole is advancing his career through an apprenticeship to become an Employment Specialist and, notably, this opportunity is supported by both IVRS and Title I WIOA, illustrating how workforce and rehabilitation systems can jointly invest in talent development and service sustainability.

Learn more and register at https://whova.com/web/0%40xxK8Bux1IrU3ER5V9ruqcLsc44kU5gKUOLrFgZdnk%3D/Speakers/

02/05/2026

If you aren't getting our weekly event emails, you may have missed that our conference is quickly approaching (March 3rd and 4th )!

I'm sending a note today for a few reasons.

🏨 Our hotel block closes on Monday, February 9th at Noon. If you're into conference and event planning, you know that once a hotel block closes, we lose that great rate for all of you! So even if you haven't registered yet, please get your hotel room reserved before Monday, February 9th at Noon!

💻 Registration is open and our conference hub includes all the details you might be looking for including speaker pages and our agenda! We've got an amazing agenda with a couple of nationally recognized speakers you won't want to miss!

🎯 We are excited that our exhibitor's reception Tuesday evening will include a tailgate theme with some games and time to network - a time you definitely won't want to miss!

💺We have a limited number of exhibitor seats left. If you haven't registered your booth yet and intend to, please let us know ASAP! We want to make sure you have your spot to engage with our attendees!

🛑 Next to last, there are still opportunities left for sponsorship either through direct event sponsorship, corporate partnership or contributing to the attendee scholarship fund by emailing us at info@biaia.org!

✅ Lastly, word of mouth and personal invitations to our conference is a great way to open up our network and engage more passionate folks into our community. Consider sharing our event information from our page, not following us, just search Brian Injury Association of Iowa on Facebook today.

See you 4 short weeks!

Visit our conference HUB today to find all your information and links to register!

https://whova.com/web/0%40xxK8Bux1IrU3ER5V9ruqcLsc44kU5gKUOLrFgZdnk%3D/

March 3 – 4, 2026, West Des Moines, IA