Communicating About Brain Injury
NASHIA is proud to have been part of the collaboration that brought about this new, important resource for communicating about brain injury. This joint message from national leaders in the brain injury community offers guidance on how to be clear when talking about brain injury.
"It’s important that we communicate clearly and consistently about brain injury. The words we use matter. They can affect whether someone qualifies for services, how professionals plan treatment, and how people understand brain injuries. And, more important, it affects how persons with brain injury experience their injury. The words we choose also shape public attitudes and expectations about life after a brain injury."
Thank you to everyone involved for working to increase care and support for brain injury survivors!
Systematic search and review of racial and ethnic differences in traumatic brain injury prevalence and incidence
Congratulations to NASHIA Innovation Center Director Jill Daugherty on publication of this article related to work she completed during her tenure at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention!
Previous research suggests that some racial/ethnic groups are at increased risk for poor health outcomes following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Less is known about the extent to which TBI prevalence and incidence vary by race/ethnicity. This paper presents results of a systematic search and review of TBI prevalence and incidence among US racial and ethnic groups.
Comparison of US TBI-related emergency department visits from two data sources: NEISS-AIPand HCUP-NEDS
Congratulations to NASHIA Innovation Center Director Jill Daugherty on publication of this article related to work she completed during her tenure at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention!
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) surveillance in the USA has historically used hospital administrative datasets and vital records to determine the number and rate of people who are hospitalised or die from a TBI. However, gaps exist in obtaining timely and accurate estimates of emergency department (ED)-treated TBIs. The purpose of this paper is to compare the number of TBI-related ED visits derived from two national datasets.
An important take-away: depending on the definition of TBI used and data source referenced, between 1-3 million TBI-related visits to American emergency department occur on an annual basis. Click below to access the full article.
Navigating Reasonable Accommodations: Preparing for Return-to-Work After Brain Injury
This resource outlines how individuals returning to work after brain injury can better prepare, and find support through resources and reasonable accommodations from their employer. Through careful self-assessment of current challenges and dialogue with their employer to navigate the accommodations process when needed, people with brain injury can retain employment.
Authored by NASHIA’s own Maria Crowley, Director of Professional Development, with support from the Administration for Community Living Disability Employment TA Center.
Self-Advocacy Scale
The Self-Advocacy Scale (SAS) provides an assessment of the individual’s self-efficacy related to his or her self-advocacy abilities. Self-efficacy is the individual’s belief in his or her own capacity to complete tasks and attain related goals. Self-efficacy is an important aspect of motivation and taking on new challenges.
The SAS was found to be a reliable and valid measures of self-efficacy specific to personal advocacy in individuals post-ABI.
Full Participation Guidelines: Recommendations for ensuring meaningful engagement for individuals and family members in program activities
Full Participation involves supporting individuals with brain injury by providing tools, resources, and supports so that they are equal, contributing members with a sense of belonging. The original Full Participation Guide was created in 2008 to help states meet this level of support. The updated document is intended as a guide for best practices and can be used readily and frequently by states and partners across all states and settings. The tips and tools provided contribute to the full and meaningful participation of everyone in meetings, work groups and conferences.
Key Components for Transforming Employment Service Systems
Key Components for Transforming Employment Service Systems is a practical checklist created by Steven J. Schwartz, disability rights attorney and Subject Matter Expert for the Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC). This resource outlines 14 essential components to guide states and service providers in shifting from sub-minimum wage employment toward Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) for individuals with disabilities. From provider transformation to interagency coordination and data reporting, this tool supports collaborative system change efforts and helps strengthen employment service plans in alignment with WIOA and Employment First principles.
Spanish Educational and Emotional Support Materials
Educational and emotional support materials on TBI created in Spanish: La vida después de un traumatismo craneoencefálico: relatos en primera persona and Cuidando de un familiar con traumatismo craneoencefálico: relatos en primera persona combine accessible, evidence-based information with powerful personal stories from individuals and families affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) across Latin America and Spain. These books are open-access and can be freely shared with anyone who may benefit from them.
VRTAC-QE Justice-Involved Toolkit
The primary purpose of the Justice-Involved Toolkit is to serve as a resource for vocational rehabilitation counselors. The toolkit will also be useful for other practitioners and organizations that work with individuals with disabilities who have been involved with the justice system. It is intended to be both a resource to better understand the needs of justice-impacted adults with disabilities and a tool to improve the provision of services for this disadvantaged population in vocational rehabilitation (VR).
NASDDDS I/DD Dual Eligibility Toolkit
This toolkit is aimed at providing states information and training material to ensure state staff, supports coordinators, and direct support professionals understand how Medicare and Medicaid programs can be complementary, as well as support the education and guidance of individuals and families to navigate dual eligibility enrollment and ongoing benefits management. The work of the TA cohort set the stage for policy and program refinement through the development of this NASDDDS I/DD Dual Eligibility Toolkit.
Components include infographics, training slide decks, policy tools, and videos.
Accommodating the Symptoms of TBI
This practical booklet, developed by the Ohio Valley Center for Brain Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation, is a go-to resource for professionals, educators, caregivers, and employers working with individuals affected by Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It:
Explains TBI impacts clearly
Highlights common participation obstacles
Offers user-friendly accommodations checklists
Balances low‑ and high‑tech solutions
Emphasizes individualized approaches
Whether you're guiding someone through recovery, integrating accommodations in shared spaces, or simply aiming to better understand TBI, this booklet is a useful tool that promotes fairness, dignity, and full participation.
Connecting Communities at the Intersection of Brain Injury and Domestic Violence
The Pennsylvania Department of Health and Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence have released a collaborative toolkit designed for professionals from intersecting fields. This resource aims to empower individuals, whether in the realm of domestic violence support, brain injury support services, emergency medical services, social work, or substance use. Each section of this toolkit has been crafted to cater to a specific role.
The goal is simple yet profound: to facilitate meaningful collaboration among professionals who are, even if they are not aware of it yet, often working with survivors of domestic violence who have sustained some type of brain injury. Unlike approaches where partnerships form reactively, this toolkit encourages proactive engagement. By providing insights into potential indicators and resources, this toolkit is seeking to nurture a community of support around survivors.
Emergency Preparedness Guide for Individuals with Brain Injury
This comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Guide was created specifically for individuals with brain injury, their families, and caregivers. Developed in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania, the guide offers clear, step-by-step instructions for preparing for a wide range of emergencies—from natural disasters to medical crises. Inside, you'll find practical tools such as a self-assessment checklist, personalized planning templates, emergency contact forms, and kit checklists. Whether you're starting from scratch or improving an existing plan, this guide empowers you to be prepared, stay safe, and maintain independence during critical situations.
Podcast: Brain Injury & Consistency
In Episode 6 of Season 4 of the Mentor Moments podcast, NASHIA Director of Professional Development Maria Crowley shares her inspiring journey being a champion for individuals affected by brain injuries. As a leader at NASHIA and in the field, Maria discusses her extensive career in rehabilitation counseling and her commitment to supporting both clients and team members. This episode offers valuable insights into the importance of consistency in the impactful work being done to assist those with brain injuries.
From screening to success stories: Importance of early detection of brain injury
Brain injuries (BIs) often remain undetected, particularly among vulnerable populations such as those involved in the criminal legal system, individuals experiencing homelessness, and Medicaid recipients. Early detection is crucial, as timely screening and coordinated care can significantly improve outcomes and support recovery. Managed care organizations, like UnitedHealthcare Community & State, play a pivotal role in expanding screening efforts, connecting individuals to appropriate rehabilitation services, and enhancing cross-system collaboration. Co-authored by NASHIA staff, this article delves into the importance of early BI detection and highlights success stories that underscore the transformative impact of proactive identification and comprehensive support.
The Business Side of Things: Employment and Brain Injury Podcast
Skilled program staff and innovative employment approaches can and do help people with brain injury enter and remain in the workforce. Business is in the business of recruiting and retaining qualified and committed employees who can work. At the center are individuals impacted by sometimes complex challenges related to brain injury. This podcast is a panel discussion from an employer perspective on challenges and successes in acquiring and maintaining employment. National labor market trends and practices will be shared as well as challenges that business faces in hiring and job retention. Recommendations for those who have sustained brain injuries related to seeking employment will be discussed, and a personal journey from injury to work will be shared.
Supported Employment: Long-Term Support Approaches for People with Brain Injury
Through a partnership with the Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC) brief, NASHIA compiled long-term support considerations for supported employment into a two-page resource. Creative approaches tapping into Social Security Administration work incentives, as an example, are highlighted. These approaches are especially important for people who need more intensive supports to enter or re-enter work and don't have access to paid Medicaid waiver options through Home and Community-Based Services. TBI grantees are encouraged to share this resource with their employment service provider partners, including state vocational rehabilitation agencies.
The Prevalence and Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury: Adults 50-Plus
This report from AARP, "The Prevalence and Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury: Adults 50-Plus," highlights the growing public health concern of brain injury among adults age 65 and older. It explores how traumatic brain injuries—most often caused by falls—are frequently underrecognized and misdiagnosed in older populations, leading to missed opportunities for treatment and recovery. The report also examines how symptoms of TBI can mimic other age-related conditions, outlines differences in access to care, and offers recommendations for prevention, screening, and support.
Supporting People with Brain Injury through Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
This document discusses Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) and how they can support individuals with brain injuries.
CCBHCs are clinics that provide a wide array of behavioral health and substance use services to anyone, regardless of their diagnosis or whether or not they have insurance.
These clinics offer nine core services, including crisis services, outpatient behavioral health and substance use services, and community-based behavioral health care for veterans.
The document emphasizes the significant overlap between behavioral health challenges and brain injury, highlighting the importance of CCBHCs in providing support for this population.
Supporting Crisis Stabilization for Youth and Young Adults during Reentry
Produced by the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, this document emphasizes the critical need for crisis stabilization support for young people and young adults with behavioral health needs as they transition from correctional facilities back into the community. It highlights that many of these individuals have behavioral health disorders and more susceptible to experiencing crises, often due to pre-existing harm or distress or lack of appropriate care.
This resource underscores the importance of addressing the unique needs of this population to ensure successful reentry and prevent future crises.