Registration for the BIAPA 2026 Annual Conference – Brain Injury Rehabilitation Across the Lifespan: Achieving Outcomes and Strengthening Community – is open! Don’t miss this nationally recognized gathering that unites survivors, families, caregivers, and professionals!
As we look ahead to the Conference, the reality is clear: without additional funding for survivor scholarships, too many individuals will be shut out of a wonderful, community building opportunity simply because they cannot afford to attend. Please consider donating to the David L. Strauss Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Partnership Opportunity — Calling All Professionals!
Did you know that individual professionals can become a Professional Partner with the BIAPA? This opportunity offers valuable visibility within the brain injury community, including having your name and credentials featured on the BIAPA Corporate Partners page, along with one discounted conference registration at 50% off.
The survivor who discovers new strength to move courageously forward
The caregiver who shares unwavering partnership and support
The professional who offers strategies and encouragement for success
This March, please join us in celebrating the Brain Injury Heroes in our lives. BIAPA is inviting you to recognize one or more Brain Injury Heroes by making a gift to BIAPA in their honor. When you donate, BIAPA will send to your hero a Brain Injury Hero card with a note that you’ve honored them in this way.If you’d like us to include your personal note with our card, just drop your message into the donation form.
The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA), in partnership with the PA Department of Health, is offering mini-grants of up to $500 each to support Brain Injury support groups. This funding, provided by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Grant, aims to help strengthen community-based resources for individuals affected by brain injury.
Applicants must be a community-based or peer-led brain injury support group. Interested applicants should submit a proposal that includes the support group's name, location, and mission, a detailed justification for the proposed use of funds, a budget overview, and an impact statement explaining how the funding will benefit individuals with brain injuries and contribute to socialization, recovery, and community support efforts.
Applications are due by April 30, 2026.
For questions, or to be sent an application, please contact Meghan Walsh-Farrell at walsh-farrell@biapa.org or Erika Pae at epae@pa.gov
ReDiscover U Bowling Socials Across Pennsylvania
The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania invites individuals with brain injury to join us for a series of free, fun, and inclusive ReDiscover U Bowling Socials this April. These adaptive events are open to bowlers of all abilities—no experience necessary—and offer a great opportunity to connect, socialize, and enjoy time together in a relaxed setting.
Events will be held at five locations across Pennsylvania:
Feasterville (Lucky Strike) – April 12, 2026 at 11:00 am Register HERE
Pittsburgh (Bowlero) – April 12, 2026 at 10:30 am Register HERE
Lancaster (Rocky Springs) – April 12, 2026 at 4:00 pm Register HERE
Greensburg (814 Lanes & Games) – April 26, 2026 at 10:30 am Register HERE
Quakertown (Earl Bowl Lanes) – April 26, 2026 at 12:30 pm Register HERE
These events are offered at no cost as part of BIAPA’s ReDiscover U program series, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Space may be limited, so early registration is encouraged.
BIAPA in the Community for Brain Injury Awareness Month
Staff, board members and volunteers representing BIAPA have been busy this March, participating in outreach and advocacy efforts across the state! BIAPA exhibited at the Mind Your Brain conferences in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, sharing resources with survivors and caregivers. BIAPA also hosted the Westmoreland Brain Safety Fair, bringing education and prevention resources directly to the community.
In addition, BIAPA advocated for key legislation at the National Brain Injury Conference & Awareness Day in DC, meeting with legislators to support policies benefiting individuals with brain injury. Representatives also attended the Navigating Life After Brain Injury event hosted by Community Living and Support Services (CLASS), which focused on supporting older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Through these efforts, BIAPA continues to strengthen partnerships, raise awareness, and advance support for Pennsylvanians impacted by brain injury.
BIAPA contingent at National Brain Injury Conference & Awareness Day in DC
Bringing safety information & bike helmets to the community at the Westmoreland Brain Safety Fair
BIAPA Staff, Tara DiGuilio & MJ Schmidt at the MYB Conference in Philadelphia
Board member, Dr. Michelle McCann, leading a panel at the CLASS event
Dysautonomia after Brain Injury Tuesday, April 7, 2026 3:30 – 5:00 pm ET
Live, virtual presentation with audience Q&A featuring: Thomas Watanabe, MD Clinical Director, Drucker Brain Injury Center; Co-Director, Stroke Rehabilitation Program; Co-Principal Investigator, Traumatic Brain Injury Model System, Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Brain Injury Center
This FREE session is intended for a professional audience. Questions can be directed to MJ Schmidt at schmidt@biapa.org.
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
April 6, 2026: Share Night
April 13, 2026: Community Connections presented by SRU students
April 20, 2026: TBD
April 27, 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, April 16 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 has launched it's newest virtual support group for adolescents ages 13–21 living with brain injury across Pennsylvania. Facilitators: Noah Sideman, PsyD, CBIS and Rachel Flood, EdS When: 4th Wednesday of every month. Next Meeting April 22. Join from Zoom Link HERE! Time: 6:00–7:00 PM EST on Zoom This group will offer a supportive space to connect with peers, share experiences, and build skills together.
BIAPA's next Caregiver Support Group will be held on Wednesday, April 8 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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