Waypoint            GET READY BECAUSE MARCH IS BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH   February 2008

"HIDDEN TRAUMA" STUDIES CITE INJURY TO SOME SOCIAL ILLS   The Wall Street Journal — Researchers studying brain injury believe they've found a common thread running through many cases of seemingly unrelated social problems: a long-forgotten blow to the head. They've found that providing therapy for an underlying brain injury often helps people with a variety of ills ranging from learning disabilities to chronic homelessness and alcoholism. If broadly verified, the findings could have a significant impact in dealing with such intractable difficulties.  (Wall Street Journal - Read the complete article)   DON'T SAY "I SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE"   Great introductory and advanced training in a growing field of disability service delivery Nationally recognized speakers Statewide and local experts Better than average conference food Updates on statewide service systems Renowned silent auction Great networking and marketing opportunities Best Practices in Brain Injury Service Delivery XVI   The Brain Injury Association of Iowa 2008 Spring Conference   March 6 - 7, 2008 (Pre-conference on the 5th) Hotel Fort Des Moines Des Moines, Iowa   Conference Program / Registration Form Exhibitor Registration Form For more information       Come to the BIA-IA annual conference Otherwise you might feel like you are skydiving without a decent parachute! Battle Concussions Tied to Stress Disorder   New York Times — About one in six combat troops returning from Iraq have suffered at least one concussion in the war, injuries that, while temporary, could heighten their risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, researchers are reporting. The study, in The New England Journal of Medicine, is the military’s first large-scale effort to gauge the effect of mild head injuries — concussions, many of them from roadside blasts — that some experts worry may be causing a host of undiagnosed neurological deficiencies. (New York Times - Read the complete article)   Brain Screenings for Vets May Be Flawed   WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of Iraq war veterans who could have suffered traumatic brain injury may be getting unnecessary or inadequate health care because Veterans Affairs officials have yet to determine whether their initial screening tests are reliable, investigators say. A draft report by the Government Accountability Office highlights the Bush administration's continuing difficulties in treating traumatic brain injury, a leading problem among soldiers struck by roadside bombs in the Iraq war.  It also comes as a provocative military study this week found that symptoms of memory loss and irritability that have been tied to brain injury might be more accurately attributed to post-traumatic stress and depression. (Associated Press - Read the complete article)   The Iowa Brain Injury Resource Network   The Iowa Brain Injury Resource Network (IBIRN) is an information and support system created to begin meeting the needs of families experiencing brain injury and the providers that assist them.  The IBIRN offers multiple supports to individuals, families and service providers.  These include local support groups, a peer-to-peer mentor program and a professional support program called Neuro-Resource Facilitation (NRF).  NRF offers support in coping with the issues of living with brain injury and transition back to work and the community. CLICK HERE to learn more about IBIRN & NRF.     With your help, together we can make a BIGGER difference. Your support is vitally needed and is tax deductible. The Brain Injury Association of Iowa is a not-for-profit, statewide membership organization whose endeavors are funded by special events, memberships, memorial donations, gifts, grants, and contracts.  We depend on contributions from generous donors and we use all donations sensibly and efficiently. To make a donation, please send your contribution to: Brain Injury Association of Iowa 317 East 6th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50309

“Advocacy Day on the Hill” A Huge Success!       The Brain Injury Association of Iowa’s “Advocacy Day on the Hill” was February 12, 2008.  Participants met in Des Moines at the State Capitol.  Following introductions and a brief training on the association's priorities this year, participants were welcomed by Senator Joe Bolkcom, Assistant Majority Leader, from Iowa City and Representative Ro Foege from Mt. Vernon.  The remainder of the day, participants met with their legislators to explain their stories and their needs.  While our attendance was smaller than expected due to yet another winter storm, the impact of those attending was tremendous! If you attended, please don't forget to send a thank you to your legislators for their time and attention.  If you did not get to join us, please consider contacting your legislators by e-mial, phone, or regular mail - Click Here to Find Your Legislator.  Request their support for those priority areas you identify in our POLICY AGENDA (Click Here).   Employment Opportunities:   Do you have a background in Human Services? Enjoy managing multiple priorities? The Brain Injury Association of Iowa is seeking to fill two positions. Position #1 is a full-time Neuro-Resource Facilitator to provide information, support and education to persons with brain injury, their families and the public Position #2 is a full-time Iowa Family Support Network / Support Group Facilitator to expand peer-to-peer support networks across the state. These are exciting new positions that could be located at our offices in Des Moines, Iowa City, or Waterloo. Bachelors in human services required; Masters preferred. Resume & cover letter by February 25th to: applicants@biaia.org  or mail to: BIA-Iowa, Administrative Offices, 308 E. Burlington, #296, Iowa City, IA 52240   Neuro-Resource Facilitator   Job Description Click Here     Iowa Family Support Network / Support Group Facilitator Job Description Click Here   Central Iowa Center for Independent Living   The Central Iowa Center for Independent Living (CICIL) is a service dedicated to promoting independence and empowerment for Iowans with disabilities.  Services provided through CICIL include Personal Assistance Program, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Counseling & Support and Advocacy.  CICIL also includes social events such as Free Movie Fridays, Peer Support meetings and Job Finder meetings.  These services are either free or provided at a low cost. CICIL serves clients in and around the greater Des Moines area, with service to other sections of the state provided through Iowa's different Centers for Independent Living.  CICIL was founded under a grant from the Iowa Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, with assistance from Principal Foundation, Blue Cross of Iowa, and Meredith Corporation.  You may contact CILIC at 515-243-1742 or ssmith@centraliowacil.com and visit them on the Internet at: www.centraliowacil.com   Brain Injuries on the Rise in Winter Sports   Best Syndication — According to research recently published in the journal Injury Prevention, brain injuries caused by skiing and snowboarding are on the rise.  People under 35 are three times more likely to incur these fatal and catastrophic injuries than older skiers.  Males are 2.2 times more likely to incur a brain injury than females. While brain injuries make up a small percentage of the injuries caused by winter sports, they are the largest portion of fatal and catastrophic injuries incurred while skiing and snowboarding. (Best Syndication - Read the complete article)   Brain Injury Awareness Month Coming March 2008   Brain Injury Awareness Month was established to increase public awareness of brain injuries and their consequences and to address the needs of persons living with brain injuries, their family members, and caregivers.  In recognition of Brain Injury Awareness Month, the Brain Injury Association of America, with support from Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and prevention, is offering educational kits that include 1) a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) fact sheet, 2) booklets on topics such as how persons with TBI can transition to life after high school and overcome loneliness, and 3) a guide on initiating brain injury awareness activities and events. CLICK HERE for additional information regarding Brain Injury Awareness Month and to order the kits call 800-444-6443.  CLICK HERE for additional information regarding CDC's TBI-related activities.     The Brain Injury Association of Iowa can deliver a range of training for your organization. This includes: NEW - Ambiguous Loss - the impact of event based disability on the family Brain Injury Awareness Brain Injury Awareness and Funding Brain Injury and Positive Behavioral Change Understanding Brain Injury for Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals TBI - What your community group should know!   Brain Injury 101 Brain Injury for the Case Manager Returning to Work After Brain Injury When Worlds Collide – BI and MR/DD How Brain Injury Affects Families Traumatic Brain Injury: A Guide for Educators Methamphetamine and Brain Injury And more!   For more information contact us:   Toll Free Info Line: 1-800-444-6443 E-mail: info@biaia.org   Note - Waypoint formatting cannot yet be optimized for all email readers.  However all errors, typos or faux pas are solely attributable to Waypoint Editors: Geoffrey M. Lauer Executive Director Thomas Brown Neuro-Resource Facilitation and Training Coordinator