NYS DDPC Announces Award of $150,000 to The Brain Injury Assoc. of NYS

ALBANY, NY (06/15/2007)(readMedia)-- New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) announces award of $150,000 to the Brain Injury Association Of New York State (BIANYS) to establish and sustain a web-based resource for families and school district personnel working with students with Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury (ATBI)

George E. Fertal, Sr., Chairperson, announced that on June 1, 2007 the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) awarded $150,000 to the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) to establish and sustain a web-based resource for families and school district personnel working with students with Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury (ATBI.) The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) is a statewide non-profit membership organization that advocates on behalf of individuals with brain injury and their families, and promotes prevention. Established in 1982, BIANYS provides education, advocacy, and community support services that lead to improved outcomes for children and adults with brain injuries and their families.

BIANYS and the DDPC recognize that successful life transitions for students with ATBI requires very specific knowledge and awareness of brain injury. It was also well established that teachers and parents do not have enough resources to address the needs of students with ATBI.

This grant will develop a sustainable website called Project LEARNET that can be utilized by parents and teachers as a resource when looking for the best solution to a variety of problems involving students with brain injuries. During the next year, BIANYS will focus on marketing the website with government agencies and professional agency partners such as the State Education Department, school districts and families.

Eric Leonard, a consumer member of the DDPC who was involved with the design of this project said, “Finally, there is a comprehensive resource with the most up to date information that can be used by families and teachers alike as they search for solutions and best practices.” School personnel that have used Project LEARNET’s problem solving assessments have noted that this approach benefits the students by engaging them and it helps the staff to be analytical and systematic, resulting in far more useful ideas.

The DDPC is a federally funded state agency dedicated to designing and implementing new programs that serve people with developmental disability and their families in the most effective way possible. Sixty percent of the governor appointed membership is parents and people with developmental disabilities. For more information on the DDPC, go to: www.ddpc.state.ny.us

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