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 Iowa families experiencing brain injury
and the providers that assist them. The IBIRN offers multiple
supports to individuals and families experiencing brain injury.
These include local support groups, a peer-to-peer mentor program
called the Iowa Family Support Network, and a professional support
program called Neuro-Resource Facilitation.
Additionally, IBIRN supports
Iowa’s service providers and community organizations. They can
receive training and technical assistance on supporting individuals
and families experiencing brain injury. Providers can request case
specific assistance, a variety of brain injury educational forums
and trainings, and public awareness presentations.
Support Groups
On a local level, members meet
together monthly to share experiences and information on an informal
basis. Most groups function as support-giving entities to
individuals with brain injury and to their families. We have
support groups in the following communities
Ankeny, Clinton, Dubuque, Cedar
Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, Davenport, Sioux City, Council Bluffs,
and the Lakes area.
Many of these area support groups
have more than one support group; for instance, one for survivors,
one for families, and one for recreational activities. Benefits of
participating in a local support group meeting include presentations
by specialty speakers, referrals to local resources, and emotional
support from others in similar circumstances.
CLICK
HERE to view the brochure for our Central Area Support Group
located in Ankeny, Iowa. (500k pdf file)
Brain Injury
Support Network
The Brain Injury Support Network
(BISN) is a unique program that offers support and guidance to
families and individuals experiencing brain injury. Trained
volunteers, who have experienced the brain injury of a family
member, provide open and honest peer support to families.
The BISN was created by families
and professionals and provides current information and support to
families in need. The BISN volunteers follow a strict code of ethics
and confidentiality guidelines, and are supported by the
professional support system of the IBIRN when providing the needed
support and information to the families. The volunteers are
available within 48 hours to provide support and information when
and where families need it.
Below, the volunteer manual and
instruction sheet are available as web pages and as Word 97
documents (better for printing):
Iowa Family Support Network Manual
Iowa Family Support Network Instruction Sheet
- Word 97 documents for downloading and printing:
Iowa Family Support Network Manual
Iowa Family Support Network Instruction Sheet
Neuro-Resource
Facilitation
Neuro-Resource Facilitation is a
service provided to individuals experiencing brain injury and their
families. The program was created through a contract with the Iowa
Department of Public Health in accordance with an Iowa law which
became effective July 1, 2006. The program began supporting
families in December of 2006.
This program
offers individuals and families support in coping with the issues of
living with brain injury and transition back to work and the
community. Support is provided in a variety of forms, including:
- Providing
brain injury specific information and resources;
- Enhancing
natural supports and providing linkage to appropriate supports,
services, and community resources;
- Providing
training to service providers to increase Iowa’s system capacity
to provide appropriate services;
- Accessing,
securing and maximizing funding, both private and public.
One of the primary resources
distributed by the Neuro-Resource Facilitators is the
Iowa Brain Injury Resource Network
Tote Bag
(To View or download: Choose either
Word or
Html format),
which contains important brain injury information and information on
various services and supports for individuals and families
experiencing brain injury.
Another resource commonly distributed by our
staff is a packet called the
Virtual Concussion Packet, choose either
Word
or Html
to view.
To learn more
about any of these supports or to find out how you can participate,
please contact us at 1-800-444-6443 or via e-mail at
info@biaia.org
home | advocacy |
calendar | contact |
education |
how we can help
| how you
can help | membership |
prevention |
what is brain injury
what's new | multicultural
resources | newsletters
IMPORTANT:
The contents of this website, informational packets or handouts, such as text,
graphics, or images are for informational purposes only. The content is not
intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or
treatment or for legal advise or representation. Please seek out a medical or
legal professional for those types of services.
|
