children in a class room

The Brain Injury Association of New York State is here to help meet the needs of children while supporting the strengths of family. The material in this section will get you started and help introduce you to some of the steps you will be making when your child leaves the hospital.

The local Independent Living Center (ILC) is a great resource for information and assistance accessing services. The New York Independent Living Council maintains a list of the ILCs. ILCs offer services such as benefits counseling to help people with disability to locate and obtain benefits, as well as resources to help advocate for services.

BIANYS can help locate local resources and services, and maintains a network of support groups that can help. Please Contact us for assistance.

Support Programs & Resources

The FACTS Program

The Family Advocacy, Counseling, and Training (FACTS) Program is available to assist your family. If you or your child sustained a brain injury prior to the age of 22 and you live in New York State, a FACTS Coordinator can help you!

Contact your local FACTS Coordinator

Family Helpline

BIANYS operates the Family Helpline, a toll-free information and resource clearinghouse of brain injury resources. Whether you are looking for information about pediatric brain injury, educational supports, rehabilitation services, or community resources, our team is here to help you navigate the journey and connect with the support you need.

Learn About the Family Helpline

BIAA Resources

Children who experience a brain injury may face challenges that are not immediately visible, as their brains are still developing. Some effects may emerge over time and impact learning, behavior, and daily life. View resources that offer guidance and support for children with brain injuries, their families, educators, and communities from the Brain Injury Association of America.

 View Resources Here

The Family Fund

The Family Fund is designed to provide a onetime financial commitment to a New Yorker with a brain injury or a family, possibly a caregiver, who provides care to the individual with a brain injury. Financial hardship only adds to the stress of your recovery and/ or ongoing rehabilitation. Every application is viewed on a case-by-case basis and we know that one person’s immediate and critical needs may be different than another.

 Learn About The Family Fund

Samantha Goldsmith Fund

The Samantha Goldsmith Fund will provide a one-time grant of up to $5,000 to assist brain injury survivors and their family with unforeseen expenses and costs related to the life changing events tied to brain injury.

 Learn About the Samantha Goldsmith Fund

Educational Resources

Concussion in the Classroom

Academic problems are common after concussion. Helping students as they return to the classroom is just as important as helping them return to sports.

 Concussion in the Classroom PDF

Return to Learn for College and University Students

The Brain Injury Association of New York’s RTLU (Return to Learn) handbook is a resource designed to support students at the college and university level in their academic journey after they sustain a concussion. This handbook was collectively crafted by our Concussion Initiative’s Return to Life Committee, drawing upon insights from colleges and universities across the state of New York.

RTLU Handbook

Return to Learn for College and University Students Overview (video)

 RTLU Video

CDC HEADS UP Resources

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s HEADS UP campaign helps people recognize, respond to, and minimize the risk of concussion or other serious brain injury.

 CDC HEADS UP Resources

Providing Support for Those Impacted by Brain Injury

Click below to find the support you need.

For Adults For Children For Caregivers & Families For Educators & Coaches For Healthcare Professionals For Veterans