The Brain Injury Association of Ohio 

BIAOH is a statewide advocacy and education organization incorporated in 1982 to improve services and supports to Ohioans with brain injury and their families, and to promote prevention. In 1985, the IRS granted 501 (c) (3) status to BIAOH, affirming our tax exempt, not-for-profit status.  BIAOH is comprised of survivors, family members, friends and professionals working together to promote better understanding, rehabilitation opportunities and lifelong community supports to assist an individual in living as fully and independently as possible.

Funding comes from membership fees, conferences, private donations, fundraising projects, grants and contracts. Grants account for over ninety percent (90%) of BIAOH's annual budget. The majority of these funds are administered through the Brain Injury Advisory Committee (formerly the Head Injury Advisory Council) and Program within the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission, and involve both state and federal match monies.

BIAOH is one of forty-three state brain injury associations affiliated with the Brain Injury Association of America, Inc., based in Alexandria, Va.

Current Programs

• Community Support Network (CSN) - seven staffed BIAOH "branch" offices, one in Toledo serving 8 counties, one in Cleveland serving 3 counties, one in Lima serving 9 counties, one in New Philadelphia serving 5, one in Columbus serving 5 counties, one in Cincinnati serving 4, and one in Marietta serving 7 counties where part-time coordinators, knowledgeable about local resources, work to link individuals with brain injury and their families with existing services. Coordinators also encourage networking and collaboration between area service providers and advocates to enhance, expand and better coordinate services for individuals with brain injury. (Ultimately, as funds become available, BIAOH hopes to establish and maintain a total of 15 CSN locations, providing services within all 88 Ohio counties.)
  
  
• Helpline - responds each year to approximately 2,000 requests for information about existing programs and services, sources of assistance and educational materials. 1-866-OHIOBIA (within Ohio) or 614-481-7100 in the Columbus area.
  
   
• Annual Membership Meeting & Conference -Each fall BIAOH hosts a conference which draws from 250 - 300 participants on topics related to brain injury rehabilitation, community support services and public policy initiatives. Many just-for-fun events are incorporated in this annual get-together - DJs and dancing at the opening reception, make-it-and-take-it t-shirt workshops, etc.
  
  
• Library of "Frequently Requested Educational Documents" (FRED) and educational videos.
  
  
• Prevention Resource Clearinghouse - information, videos and sample materials about numerous local, state and federal prevention initiatives are available through BIAOH's helpline on topics such as bike helmet usage, seat belts, sports and recreation, car seats for children, etc.
  

• Legislative Education & Information - BIAOH currently offers a training program to approximately 30 individuals with disabilities and their families in central Ohio to identify public policy issues affecting their lives and to gain self advocacy skills and experience. (Funding provided through Arc Ohio through a grant from the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Planning Council.)
  
  
• Support Groups - linkage to 50 volunteer-administered groups and/or contact people around the state, along with technical assistance to group leaders. Volunteer support group contacts for individuals with brain injury and their families are located in: Akron, Batavia, Berea, Cadiz, Canton, Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Clermont County, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton area, Dennison, Dover, Euclid, Green Springs,Lima, Medina, Millersburg, Newark, Parma, Pataskala, Sylvania, Toledo, Troy, Warren, Warrensville Heights, Warsaw, and Zanesville.