BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF COLORADO

BRAIN INJURY CAN BE HARD TO SEE AND UNDERSTAND, BUT AT BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF COLORADO, WE GET IT. WE KNOW EACH PERSON WITH A BRAIN INJURY IS UNIQUE AND CAN BE STRUGGLING WITH SO MANY THINGS. EVERY DAY, WE PROVIDE THE SUPPORT, CONNECTIONS, AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES THAT CAREGIVERS AND THE PROFESSIONALS THEY WORK WITH NEED. BECAUSE WHEN WE DO, SURVIVORS OF A BRAIN INJURY HAVE A CHANCE TO THRIVE.

CLIENT SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, INFORMATION AND RESOURCES: SELF-MANAGEMENT/SKILL BUILDING - SELF-MANAGEMENT IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED AND AVAILABLE FOR SURVIVORS OF A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI) WHO WANT TO INVEST TIME IN IMPROVING THEIR SKILLS IN SPECIFIC AREAS THAT CAN BE CHALLENGING AFTER A BRAIN INJURY. BIAC ADVISORS WILL WORK ONE-ON-ONE WITH EACH PARTICIPANT TO ASSESS THEIR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, IDENTIFY NATURAL SUPPORTS IN THEIR LIFE, AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR BUILDING SPECIFIC SKILLS WITH THE GOAL OF GREATER SELF-SUFFICIENCY. RESOURCE NAVIGATION: RESOURCE NAVIGATION IS OUR FOUNDATIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND CAREGIVERS. IT IS INTENDED TO BE QUICK AND EASY TO ACCESS. EDUCATION CONSULTATION - BIAC PROVIDES STATE-WIDE INTAKE AND REFERRALS OF YOUTHS IN THE COMMUNITY WITH ANY TYPE OF BRAIN INJURY. BIAC WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS WELL AS SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SCHOOLS TO HELP THE CHILD AND FAMILY TO THRIVE IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM POST-INJURY. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - OUR GOAL IS TO OFFER SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SO THEY MAY IMPROVE THEIR WELL- BEING AND STRENGTHEN THE GREATER COMMUNITY. WE APPROACH INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE SYSTEM WITH THE SAME COMPASSION AND NONDISCRIMINATORY MINDSET AS WE DO FOR ALL SURVIVORS OF AN INJURY TO THE BRAIN. CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS - SEVERAL CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS DESIGNED FOR SURVIVORS OF A BRAIN INJURY AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS/CAREGIVERS ARE HELD THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THE WORKSHOPS ARE FREE OR VERY AFFORDABLE AND FEATURE TOPICS THAT SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS CAN USE AT HOME. COMMUNITY OUTREACH & EDUCATION - BIAC STAFF GIVE PRESENTATIONS, EXHIBITS, AND SEMINARS THROUGHOUT COLORADO TO MANY DIFFERENT COMMUNITY GROUPS DEPENDING ON THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS. STAFF ATTEND AND EXHIBIT AT CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS IN ORDER TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF BRAIN INJURY IN THE COMMUNITY AND TO SHARE INFORMATION ON LOCAL RESOURCES. PUBLIC POLICY - BIAC ENGAGES IN STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY TO ENCOURAGE POLICIES THAT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF SURVIVORS OF A BRAIN INJURY. BIAC ALSO WORKS TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ORGANIZED SYSTEM OF CARE, WHICH INCLUDES APPROPRIATE SERVICES AND BENEFITS FOR PERSONS WITH BRAIN INJURY. ONLINE RESOURCE DIRECTORY - EXTENSIVE AND UP TO DATE DATABASE OF BRAIN INJURY RELATED PROVIDERS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC ACCESS ON OUR WEBSITE. THIS IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE DIRECTORY ON COLORADO BASED BRAIN INJURY PROVIDERS IN THE STATE. SUPPORT GROUPS - OVER 80 STATE-WIDE SUPPORT GROUPS MEET ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR UNDERSTANDING MORE ABOUT BRAIN INJURY, LEARNING ABOUT RESOURCES IN THEIR COMMUNITY, EMOTIONAL HEALING, SOCIALIZATION, AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE UNDERSTOOD AND TO EXPRESS ONESELF, AND EXPLORING COMMON NEEDS AND STRENGTHS. RECREATION AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS - WE OFFER MULTI-DAY PROGRAMS, ONE-DAY RECREATION PROGRAMS, AND NUMEROUS SOCIAL EVENTS. PARTICIPANTS EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF COLORADO WITH CARING, PROFESSIONAL, AND HIGHLY EXPERIENCED STAFF. THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE HIKING, CLIMBING, A ROPES COURSE, CYCLING, RAFTING, AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND OUTINGS. WINTER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SKIING, SNOWBOARDING, TUBING, AND ICE FISHING. PEER MENTORSHIP - THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS EXPLORE RESILIENCY, DEFINE WHAT IT MEANS TO THRIVE, AND THEN TO TAKE STEPS IN THIS DIRECTION. THE PROGRAM SPANS UP TO A YEAR IN DURATION, WITH WEEKLY PHONE OR VIDEO CONFERENCE CONTACTS, AND IF POSSIBLE, A MONTHLY COMMUNITY ACTIVITY (DEPENDENT UPON PROXIMITY, TRANSPORTATION AND PERSONAL BUDGETS).