Brain Injury Association of Iowa

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

02/05/2026

🏃‍♀️ dont walk and get regusteted today!
https://whova.com/web/0%40xxK8Bux1IrU3ER5V9ruqcLsc44kU5gKUOLrFgZdnk%3D/

You won’t want to miss out on Jordan Bell, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, Assistant Professor at
Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences

Jordan Bell, OTD, Assistant Professor at Des Moines University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program, is Certified in Pediatrics. She teaches human behavior and lifespan development and pediatric intervention courses and has presented on pediatric topics, emphasizing strategies to support pediatric development, including the developing brain.

Presentation :
Implementation of Concussion Protocols in Iowa Public Schools: Perspectives from Kindergarten through 6th Grade School Personnel

This session will explore concussion management in Iowa public schools, focusing on Return-to-Learn and Return-to-Play protocols for kindergarten through 6th-grade students. Attendees will gain insight into current practices, national and state policy considerations, application to K-6th-grade students, and barriers that impact effective implementation, informed by emerging research and school personnel perspectives.

02/03/2026

You won’t want to miss this incredible author providing a keynote at this year’s conference! She’s going to be 🔥 🔥🔥

SPOILER ALERT: THERE’S A SEQUEL (The Story Doesn’t End At Brain Injury)

Stacia Bissell, M.Ed. Brain Injury Coach, Mentor, Educator, Author, Speaker, TBI Mentor

Stacia Bissell, M.Ed. is a brain injury coach, educator, author, speaker and survivor specializing in helping others find personal and professional growth post-brain injury. Stacia serves on the advisory council for the BIA of America, and is a Program Leader for LoveYourBrain. She has been the keynote speaker at several conferences and featured on a number of podcasts. You can learn more about Stacia at TBImentor.com.

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

02/03/2026

Our friends at LoveYourBrain are hosting a Summit in late March. The lineup features world-class researchers, practitioners, and teachers advancing the science and practice of holistic healing after brain injury. For more information, visit their website: https://www.loveyourbrain.com/summit?blm_aid=18101.

Let's change healing from TBI! We're convening experts across disciplines to advance the science and practice of holistic healing after brain injury. March 20-22, 2026. Online. Tickets on sale January 15.

02/03/2026

🛑 Stop, Register and do not pass Go!

Check out this keynote presentation: Brain Injury Coping Skills: Curriculum Foundations and Adaptations to Promote Survivor and Family Success by Dave Anders, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIST-AP, Chief Clinical Officer with On With Life!

Dave is an Iowa-licensed speech-language pathologist, author, and educator who has been practicing in the field of brain injury rehabilitation since 1997. He has been a certified brain injury specialist since 2004 and has earned both the CBIS Trainer and Advanced Practice designations. Dave is a member of the board of directors for both BIAA’s Academy for the Certification of Brain Injury Specialists and the Brain Injury Association of Iowa. Dave has presented regionally, nationally, and internationally on a wide range of topics related to brain injury. Dave serves as the Chief Clinical Officer at On With Life.

This session will provide an overview of the Brain Injury Coping Skills (BICS) group intervention, discuss its demonstrated benefits, and explore beneficial enhancements, including neuroplasticity principles, emotional regulation training, and strategies to foster post-traumatic growth, to optimize outcomes for individuals with brain injury and their care partners.

Register today to catch this one!!!

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

02/02/2026

Join Katie Barhorst, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences Doctoral
Occupational Therapy Student at the 34th annual BIA Iowa conference!!!

Don’t delay, get registered today!

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