News

Hello my name is Sarah Shadi and I am a Ph.D. student in the APA-accredited clinical psychology program from Alliant International University’s, San Francisco campus. I am currently conducting research in an attempt to understand feelings of social isolation in people with brain injuries. As a brain injury survivor myself, and a member of the Brain Injury Association, I am interested in your feelings and experiences as a brain injury survivor.

Eligibility:
-You must be between the ages of 18-75.
-You must have a diagnosed brain injury that occurred two or more years ago.
-You must be able to read and write English.
-You must NOT have a current psychiatric diagnosis (e.g., depression, anxiety, or personality disorder).

If you meet eligibility criteria you will be asked to complete a brief survey that may take 30 minutes to an hour. In order to learn more about this study, or to participate in it, please click the link. The survey will remain open until the maximum of 250 responses are received.

If you have any questions about the current study, or if you would like to receive updates about the results of the study, please feel free to email me at SocialIsolationAlliant@gmail.com.

This research project has been approved by the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Participants in Research at Alliant University. For questions, the Institutional Review Board can be contacted at alliant-irb@alliant.edu or at 858-635-4741.”

CLOSING: Due to inclement weather on Thursday, February 9, the Brain Injury Association of New York State’s Albany office will be closed.

The office will resume normal business activities on Friday, February 10.

35^th Annual “One Voice for Brain Injury” Conference presented by Goldblatt and Associates will feature Keynote Speaker: Dr. Joel Goodman, founder of The HUMOR Project in Saratoga Springs

Registration is now open for the Annual Conference and Professional Symposium

ALBANY, NY: February 8, 2017 –  Professionals, brain injury service providers and consumers from across the state are invited to get a first look at industry trends and information to better support and serve individuals and their families affected by brain injury across New York State. The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) 35^th Annual “One Voice for Brain Injury” Conference and Professional Symposium presented by Goldblatt and Associates, P.C.; will return to the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs, New York in June.

“Goldblatt and Associates is a longtime partner of the Brain Injury Association of New York State and we are proud to once again support this year’s annual conference,” said Attorney Kenneth B. Goldblatt. “It’s our honor to work with an organization that for decades has provided advocacy, education and programming that impacts thousands of individuals affected by brain injury across the state.”

“We are excited to return to the beautiful city of Saratoga Springs,” said Eileen Reardon, Executive Director for BIANYS. “We will kick-off our events in the area with our Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) Training, our Professional Symposium and will wrap-up the week with the 35^th Annual “One Voice for Brain Injury” Conference. It is always wonderful to interact with professionals, providers and consumers from across the state for a couple of days. It reenergizes attendees and staff and reinforces the mission of the organization.” 

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) Training – June 13, 2017
This class is offered by the Brain Injury Association of New York State and is specifically designed to help review material for the certification examination and to strengthen the network of dedicated, competent brain injury specialists across NYS. Starting six weeks prior to the class, enrollees will have access to weekly webinars and receive study tips and detailed home study information that corresponds with the chapters in the Essential Brain Injury Study Guide.

Professional Symposium – June 14, 2017
The Professional Symposium brings together professionals and specialists in the fields of brain injury medicine and rehabilitation. The program will offer the chance to learn about advances in treatment, network with other professionals in the field and gain access to cutting-edge research and information. Certified Education Units (CEU’s) for Certified Brain Injury Specialists and other professionals as well as Contact Hours for Social Work will be provided to attendees.  Live stream is available for professionals who are unable to attend in-person.

The 35^th Annual “One Voice for Brain Injury” Conference – June 15-16, 2017
This two-day conference, which is open to professionals, brain injury service providers and consumers will contain a variety of workshops including: professional presentations; panel discussions; spiritual demonstrations and delivery of personal testimonials from brain injury survivors and their family members. The conference will feature a keynote presentation from Dr. Joel Goodman, founder of The Humor Project in Saratoga Springs.

BIANYS Call for Workshop proposals is now open for the Annual Conference. BIANYS is seeking interactive presentations that focus on strategies, skill building, and practical application, as well as presentations that provide insight into a new or innovative brain injury topic.  All conference workshops are 75 minutes long. Deadline for submission is February 17, 2017.  Contact Karen Thomas by phone at 518-459-7911 or via email at kthomas@biansy.org for more information.

Conference and Training Details
Registration is now open for CBIS Training, Professional Symposium and the 35^th Annual “One Voice for Brain Injury” Conference, which will place at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, June 13 through Friday, June 16, 2017.

Exhibitor booth and underwriter opportunities are available by contacting Erica Rossin by phone at 518-459-7911 or via email at erossin@bianys.org

For more information or to register, visit www.bianys.org.

ALBANY, NY: January 31, 2017 –The Brain Injury Association of New York State urges you to call Congress today and tell them to protect the ACA, Medicaid, and Medicare.

The President and Congress are moving quickly to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Major cuts and restructuring of Medicaid and Medicare may not be far behind. Brain injury advocates must let policymakers know that these changes will hurt people with disabilities and seniors.

Please use this toll free call-in number
866-426-2631

When you call you will hear a brief overview of the issues and will be asked to enter your zip code before being transferred to your members of Congress. Please ask to speak to the health staffer.

Talking points to use during your call

No repeal of the ACA without simultaneous replacement

If Congress votes to repeal the ACA, a replacement package that provides equivalent or improved access to affordable, quality health coverage must be included in the same legislation.

No cuts to Medicaid or restructuring of the Medicaid program

Seniors and people with disabilities rely on the Medicaid program.  It is the primary public source of funding for long-term services and supports. Program cuts, along with block grant or per capita cap proposals would hurt people who have no alternative means of paying for essential services.

Preserve Medicare for current and future seniors and people with disabilities

Medicare is a huge success story, with strong support from all Americans. Premium support and other restructuring proposals to shift more costs onto beneficiaries would make health care far less affordable and accessible to seniors and people with disabilities.

First webinar in series designed to provide insight and information to professionals working with veterans affected by traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Registrants will receive 1.5 Social Work Continuing Education Contact Hours, 1.5 Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) CEUs or a certificate of attendance

ALBANY, NY: January 24, 2017 – The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) announced “Meeting the Needs of Veterans with TBI (Webinar)” to be held on Wednesday, February 15 at 1:00pm.  The webinar is the first in their new professional development series designed to train professionals working with individuals and their families affected by brain injuries across the state.

Representatives from organizations serving veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are invited to participate. The live on-line program will provide information around the symptoms and challenges of TBI as experienced by military members.   The webinar will also include a question-and-answer session with a certified professional from BIANYS. Social work continuing education contact hours will be available to attendees.
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The BIANYS Family Forum, scheduled for Monday, January 23 in Albany has been cancelled due to forecasts of inclement weather. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please stay tuned for a rescheduled date in the near future. Thank you.

Professionals working with individuals and their families affected by brain injury are invited to submit proposals that focus on strategies, skill building and practical application

Deadline for submission is February 17, 2017

ALBANY, NY: January 11, 2016 – The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) announced today their Call for Workshop Proposals for the 35th Annual “One Voice for Brain Injury” Conference, to be held on June 15-16, 2017 at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs, NY. BIANYS Annual Conference is attended by hundreds of professionals, brain injury service providers, and consumers from across New York State.

All workshop sessions are 75 minutes long. BIANYS is seeking interactive presentations that focus on strategies, skill building, and practical application, as well as presentations that provide insight into a new or innovative brain injury topic. Deadline for submission is Friday, February 17. Candidates will be notified in March if their workshop proposal has been accepted. Additional information about the program and a complete Call for Workshop Proposals are available at bianys.org.
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Organizations across the state are invited to participate to raise awareness and funds to support the Brain Injury Association of New York State

All monies raised go to support individuals and their families affected by brain injury

ALBANY, NY: January 6, 2016 – The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) announced today plans for Brain Injury Awareness Month in March including the continuation of their Blue Jeans for Brain Injury Campaign to be held for the third year in a row.

Over the past two years, BIANYS has partnered with dozens of organizations across the state to generate funding to provide programs and services for individuals and their families affected by brain injuries.
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NORTHERN, N.Y.: December 7, 2016 – The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS), a statewide non-profit membership organization that advocates on behalf of individuals with brain injuries and their families has added Panja Mathis to its FACTS Coordinator team. Mathis will serve the agency’s Northern New York territory.

“We are excited to welcome Panja to our team and are confident that she will excel in her new role,” said Eileen Reardon, Executive Director of BIANYS. “Her experience and commitment to serving others will further support the quality of services we provide.”
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