About Us and What We Do

Our Mission

The Brain Injury Association of Delaware, affiliated with the Brain Injury Association of America, is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to create a better future through brain injury prevention, research, education and advocacy. 

Staff

Executive Director: Esther J. Curtis 
Administrative Assistant: Marilyn "Rusty" Sheridan

Board of Directors	Advisory Board
Elizabeth "Lisa" Furber, President Timothy J. Walker, Vice President Jason Carpenter, Treasurer Kathleen Capitan, M.S., CCC-SLP, Secretary Felicia Baldwin-Connor, Ph.D. Devon Dorman Howard Hitch Tracey Landmann Alexandra Gorham James Mills, M.D. Sharon Lyons	Elizabeth H. Brooks, Ed.D. Glennwood C. Brooks, Jr., Ph.D., Chesapeake Rehabiliation Jane Crowley, Psy.D., A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Neil S. Kaye, M.D., Jefferson Medical Center Daniel J. Keating, Ph.D., Bancroft NeuroHealth Kate McGraw, Ph.D., Clinician Sanjai C. Rao, Ph.D., Child Neurology Clinic Eve V. Tolley Nancy Bartuska, O.T., CBIS Marilyn (Rusty) Sheridan

Our Services and Programs

Guidance Program

BIAD’s Guidance Program is designed to help people who are struggling to find resources within Delaware. You can call our toll free Help Line at 1-800-411-0505, visit our web site for more information, or email admin@biade.org directly for assistance. As part of the Guidance Program, we have put together a comprehensive Resource Directory [LINK TO PDF], which describes brain injury services in Delaware. Lastly, you can use our web site for all it’s worth!

Peer Social Events Program

Throughout the year, BIAD hosts a series of social events that are designed to help bring families and survivors together. Rehab after brain injury depends on the involvement and support of family and friends. We hold these events to encourage continued social activity after brain injury. Check our “News and Events” page for upcoming events.

Support Group Program

BIAD holds monthly support groups in New Castle, Dover, Millville, and Salisbury, Maryland. These support groups are well-attended by local brain injury survivors, family members, caregivers, and health care professionals. Support groups are held monthly (except the month of December) and provide an emotional support system. Support groups often host special speakers from local organizations as well.

Educational Program

BIAD’s Educational Program includes many different types of activities, such as educational seminars and conferences. BIAD hosts an annual brain injury conference once per year, which is attended by 150-200 people. Educational seminars are held throughout Delaware for many different audiences. Check our “News and Events” page for upcoming events.

Our Traumatic Brain Injury State Action Plan

Read about the State’s Blueprint for Action, which is in its final draft stage. Download your copy now! 

Advocacy

BIAD's staff and officers are reporting members on several statewide committees at which we promote your cause. We have opportunities to meet with legislators on your behalf and need to know what you struggle with!

Funding for students with disabilities

Want to go back to school? There is a way! Students with disabilities may be eligible for financial aid. Click here to find out more!

TechMatrix - Assistive Technology Tools for Learning

Want to continue your education but need assistive technology? Check out TechMatrix to find learning support. Click here to find out more.

Annual Conference

BIAD hosts its annual Brain Injury Conference in March of each year. Our conference provides education for brain injury survivors, health care providers, and advocates. Each year we attempt to include sessions that will be helpful to all of our registrants. CEU's are available for health care professionals, therapists, and Brain Injury Specialists. Check our Calendar of Events for information about our upcoming conference! 

Medicare Open Enrollment Begins November 15

General open enrollment starts on November 15, 2009. During this time, people with Medicare can add, drop, or change their prescription drug coverage. They can also select a health plan for 2010 coverage. Click here to visit My Medicare Tools for information and resources.

Home-Based Cognition Program through University of Alabama

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has developed a Home Stimulation Program that is designed to assist the individual in recovery of thinking skills. Each activity provides a group of tasks listed by their level of difficulty. The tasks range from the least challenging (Level 1) to higher levels that are progressively more challenging. Try your hand at it today! Click on this banner:

NOTE: This program is not meant to substitute for professional therapy, and use of the tasks does not guarantee recovery. The tasks are offered to provide some guidance and structure to people with brain disorders and their families. Access to this program is free, and you may print any part of it for use at home. You may not publish any part of this work, and any mention of the program must include a reference to where it was obtained. Send feedback to tbi@uab.edu 

Literature

BIAD's office is fully stocked with brochures about brain injury and its aftermath. This literature is available to you at any time! Contact our office to let us know what you need.

Concussion Booklets:

One for school staff, including coaches, and one for parents. 
Click here for more info and to download these valuable resources.

Resource Directory

BIAD's Resource Directory is a comprehensive guide to resources within the State, both public and private. It was created with the hope that it would serve people with a brain injury, their families, and caregivers. While we have attempted to include a wide variety of information, we are sure that there are programs and services that are not listed. If you feel that we are missing important information, please contact us. This document is frequently updated as new data becomes available.
You may download the newest version here. Look for frequent updates! The directory is in PDF format and around a megabyte in size

NOTE: The Brain Injury Association of Delaware does not support, endorse, or recommend particular methods, treatments, or programs listed within the Resource Directory. BIAD is not responsible for the nature, scope, and quality of the programs listed within the Resource Directory. 

Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD)

MAWD is a health insurance program for individuals who are adults, who are disabled, and who are working. Adults who are accepted into this program get full Medical Assistance benefits, including full prescription coverage, by paying a monthly premium of 5% of their “countable income”. MAWD can be your primary insurance or your secondary insurance, even if you are covered by Medicare, since your primary insurance may not cover all of your health care needs, co-payments, and deductibles. There is no minimum requirement for the number of hours you must work or how much you must earn to be eligible for MAWD; however, income and resource limits do apply to this program. Families or professionals who have questions regarding this relatively underutilized benefit should call the Law Offices of Joseph L. Romano, Esquire at 1-800-331-4134. You will also find this information in Chapter 8 of our Resource Directory. 

2009 Medicare Guide Available

The 2009 Guide to Health Insurance for Medicare Beneficiares has been released by the State of Delaware. This will help you to better understand your benefits, and how to best use the Medicare program. Call 1-800-336-9500 or click here to download your copy.

Report on Advances in Motor Vehicle Crash Response from the CDC

Download your copy of the report here. (pdf)