ReDiscover U Canvas Painting Classes West Chester – January 29, 2026, 3:00–5:00 PM Jenkintown – February 5, 2026, 4:00–6:00 PM Greensburg– February 5, 2026, 4:00–6:00 PM Lancaster- Date Coming Soon
BIAPA Partners with The Penn Foundation on Opioids Pilot Project
Since January of 2022, BIAPA has been implementing the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Initiative on the Intersection of Brain Injury and Opioid Use Disorder.
Through this work, we launched a statewide awareness campaign and delivered 80 in-depth trainings for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) providers and Brain Injury Rehabilitation professionals. These efforts focused on building understanding of how opioid use and non-fatal overdose affect the brain—and how to more effectively support individuals with co-occurring brain injury and substance use disorders.
Building on this foundation, we have shifted from training to implementation by launching a pilot project that puts these concepts into practice. This innovative model embeds brain injury screening and practical, brain injury-informed strategies directly into a SUD treatment program, with the goal of improving client engagement, retention, and recovery outcomes.
We are partnering with The Penn Foundation in Sellersville, Pennsylvania for this pilot, which officially launched on January 6, 2026. This systems-level approach is a new and exciting step forward, and we are energized by its potential to create lasting, meaningful impact for individuals and providers alike.
New Support Group: Stronger Together at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Reading
The Stronger Together Support Group meets on every 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 3 - 4 PM. All survivors, caregivers, and loved ones are invited to connect to a caring community and participate in informational and supportive conversations. The new group looks forward to growing a support network within their community!
Beat the winter blues and get creative with us! ReDiscover U invites all persons with brain injury to join a FREE guided canvas painting class at local Painting With a Twist studios across PA. No experience needed—just come ready to create, connect, and have fun.
All materials are provided. Space is limited and registration is required.
The first event was held on January 22nd in Pittsburgh. The group, pictured above, shared a lot of laughs and had great fun while creating their paintings
West Chester – January 29, 2026, 3 – 5 PM, Register HERE.
Greensburg – February 5, 2026, 4 – 6 PM, Register HERE. Note: This event was rescheduled for 2/5 due to weather issues.
Lancaster- Date Coming Soon!
Questions? Contact Tara DiGuilio at diguilio@biapa.org or 717-753-5619. Please share and help spread the word.
We look forward to creating something colorful together!
Saturday, March 14, 2026 11 AM - 2 PM Westmoreland Mall, Greensburg, PA
Hands-on activities that show how the brain works and highlight practical ways to prevent brain injuries. FREE bicycle helmet fittings and helmet distribution. While supplies last. LEARN MORE
2026 Conference Updates
📣 📣 Registration Opening Soon!! 📣 📣
Registration for the BIAPA 2026 Annual Conference – Brain Injury Rehabilitation Across the Lifespan: Achieving Outcomes and Strengthening Community – opens soon! Don’t miss this nationally recognized gathering that unites survivors, families, caregivers, and professionals for learning, connection, and collaboration.
Sponsorship Opportunities Join us in making a powerful impact! BIAPA’s mission is to prevent brain injuries and to build an inclusive community grounded in education, advocacy, support, and research, improving the lives of individuals with brain injuries and their families.
By becoming a conference or year-round partner, exhibitor, or sponsor, you’ll not only help advance this mission, but also gain meaningful visibility with a dynamic network of professionals, survivors, families, and organizations across Pennsylvania. It’s an exciting opportunity to elevate your brand while supporting a cause that changes lives! Click HERE for more info.
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month!
The Brain Injury Association of America’s 2026 National Conference and Awareness Day will unite the brain injury community to spark action, advance advocacy, celebrate progress, and amplify our collective impact. Through engaging sessions, meaningful networking, and opportunities to advocate on Capitol Hill, participants will connect, learn, and lead. Whether you are living with a brain injury, supporting a loved one, or working as a healthcare provider, this conference offers valuable tools, resources, and connections for both established and emerging leaders in the brain injury community.
ReDiscover U classes are held on Monday nights at 6 PM ET via Zoom. Use this link to join any of the classes at 6 PM on Mondays
February 2, 2026: Share Night
February 9, 2026: Let's Celebrate Recreational Therapy Month
February 16, 2026: Rhythms
February 23, 2026: Chinese Lantern Festival
For more information about ReDiscover U, including a description of the classes, CLICK HERE.
To sign up for the ReDiscover U email list, click HERE to fill out a brief registration form.
The BIAPA statewide virtual support group will meet Thursday, February 19 at 5 PM. This tight-knit community consists of survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania! Please use thisZoom Link to access the meeting.
BIAPA's next Caregiver Support Group will be held on Wednesday, February 11 at 6 PM. This monthly, virtual meeting is open to all caregivers. The meetings are an excellent opportunity for caregivers to meet one another, share experiences and discuss topics of unique relevance to their roles. No pre-registration is required! To join this monthly meeting, use this Zoom Link.
To sign up for email alerts for one of BIAPA's virtual groups listed above, follow this link to complete a brief registration form.
A full list of all of Pennsylvania's Brain Injury Support Groups, along with contact information for each, is on the BIAPA website's Support Group Listing Page. We are currently updating this information, and while we have done so for most groups, there are still some that we're trying to reach. If you're aware of groups that are meeting either virtually or in-person and they are not on our listing, or if you have any updated details about a group on the list, please contact Melanie Morrison morrison@biapa.org so that we can let others know about them.
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