Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska

About Brain Injury Alliance Of Nebraska
Brain injuries impact multiple areas of a person’s life such as cognition, memory, balance, emotional stability, relationships, and more. Currently, few resources and supports are available statewide to people living with a brain injury.

The Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska (an affiliate of the United States Brain Injury Alliance) is a dedicated provider of brain injury health information and support in the state. Incorporated in 2009, the organization’s mission is to create a better future for all Nebraskans through brain injury prevention, education, advocacy, and support.

The Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska (BIA-NE) works to bring about meaningful system change by building community support networks that help individuals and families across the state navigate life changes caused by a brain injury.

Programs & Services Offered

  • Resource Facilitation: We work collaboratively with individuals and community service providers to develop a support system for individuals living with a brain injury. We listen to the needs of the individual and work together to help solve problems and challenges faced by the person whose life has been impacted the injury.

    This can include but is not limited to finding and sharing informational resources, making referrals to service providers, connecting individuals with peer support groups, and providing personalized case management services.

  • Community Education: One of the ways we help develop support systems for individuals and families affected by brain injury is through our community education program. Through this program, we educate individuals, communities, and professionals about the unique needs of individuals with brain injuries to help reduce the stigma and confusion about brain injury, provide information about ways to prevent or reduce the risk of brain injury, and offer accommodation and symptom management strategies.

    As part of this program, we also work to educate community service providers working with populations that have a higher risk of brain injury such as justice-involved individuals, domestic violence survivors, and individuals experiencing homelessness.

    These efforts are accomplished through educational presentations and conferences, training for service providers and other community organizations, and awareness campaigns.

  • Advocacy: We advocate for the brain injury community at the state government level by following legislative proceedings and speaking either for or against bills as it benefits individuals affected by brain injury.

Did You Know?

  • Every day in our state:

    • at least one person dies from a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

    • three people are hospitalized because of a TBI.

  • On average, 14,000 TBI cases are reported annually on the Nebraska Brain Injury Registry.

  • In general, total combined rates for traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations and deaths have increased over the past decade.

  • Approximately 75% of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild traumatic brain injury.

  • Brain injury is a health and financial crisis that can drive families into low-income status. Lengthy hospitalization and rehabilitation, low or no insurance and continued medical care, sometimes for life, can put pressure on finances. In cases of permanent disability, often there is a need for a spouse or parent to discontinue work in order to provide continuous care for the person with a brain injury. All of this puts a strain on family economics, which can lead to low-income status.

You Can Help

  • $50 provides one hour of intake and information services for an individual or family affected by brain injury.

  • $100 teaches parents, athletes, coaches, and educators how to recognize and manage a concussion properly.

  • $150 helps us connect and refer individuals to local, state, and federal programs and services.

  • $200 provides four hours of case management services for individuals and families affected by a brain injury.

  • $250 helps individuals engage with peers and learn new skills through workshops like the Autobiography and Wise Minds workshops.

  • $350 helps cover the cost of providing free educational webinars on topics like Medicare and advocacy.

  • $500 provides up to six hours of brain injury education, screening, and consultative services to an organization serving domestic and intimate partner violence survivors.

Dollars at Work

  • BIA-NE offered over 60 educational and training sessions which have been attended by nearly 1,700 professionals and community members across the state in 2023.

  • Over1,000 individuals receive BIA-NE monthly e-newsletters which highlight events, brain injury news and research, and survivor stories in each issue.e.

  • Between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, 309 new clients have been served by Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska resource facilitation specialists who assist in building personalized support teams, providing information resources, and referral services to individuals and their families.

  • The percentage of clients served in western Nebraska increased from 36.8% to 45% from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

  • Over 140 people attended the 2023 Nebraska Brain Injury Conference at the Younes Conference Center on March 23 and 24, 2023.

  • “Forever Shaken,” a powerful 30-minute documentary on Abusive Head Trauma has had over 444,000 YouTube views some of which include childcare advocates, schools, and hospitals.

Contact Info
(402) 423-2463 | PO Box 22147, Lincoln, NE 68542 | info@biane.org | website
@BrainInjuryNebraska | @brain-injury-alliance-of-nebraska