BICSV and JMU T/TAC Hold Conference on Substance Abuse and Brain Injury
News
Harrisonburg, VA, November 6, 2019: Brain Injury Connections of the Shenandoah Valley (BICSV), a local non-profit organization, and Region 5 Training & Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC) at James Madison University are pleased to announce a November 8, 2019 conference exploring “The Vicious Cycle: Brain Injury & Substance Use Disorders”. The event is for PK-12 educators in our region and will be held at The Festival Conference and Student Center located on the campus of James Madison University (JMU).
According to a recent BrainLine article, “Substance abuse is a risk factor for having a traumatic brain injury and traumatic brain injury is a risk factor for developing a substance abuse problem.” When a child sustains either a traumatic or mild brain injury and returns to school, they often confront new challenges. Well-prepared school systems help children succeed by making their experiences easier. Brain Injury Connections of the Shenandoah Valley and T/TAC are enthusiastic about the response from the school districts in the area to this groundbreaking partnership and seminar.
Materials and training to school educators and administrators will be designed to assist leaders in our educational systems to explore topics related to the effects of brain injury and youth, with a special focus on opioids and substance abuse. The major thematic concepts of the conference include brain injury, substance abuse, and community.
The conference is provided based on funding to BICSV from the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative (CNI) Trust Fund, and funding from Region 5 T/TAC.
About T/TAC
Virginia Department of Education’s state-wide T/TACs provide professional development and support designed to assist schools in addressing accountability and improvement goals for students with disabilities. For more information regarding their programs and services, please call (540) 568-6746 or visit their website at: http://www.ttacjmu.org/.
About Brain Injury Connections of the Shenandoah Valley, Inc.
Brain Injury Connections of the Shenandoah Valley, Inc. was founded in 2005 as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. Brain Injury Connections combines public funds administered through the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, as well as private resources to provide specialized services for people affected by brain injury in the Shenandoah Valley. Services are designed to meet the needs of the individuals we serve to maximize the person’s independence in the community. BICSV’s primary service is brain injury case management. Case Managers connect clients with an array of services to meet their clients’ needs including assistance with education, daily living and personal care, and many others.
About the CNI
The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to improving the treatment and care of Virginians with traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries. Through the establishment of the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative (CNI) Trust Fund, administered by a governor-appointed advisory board, funds are available to Virginia-based organizations, institutions, and researchers to address the needs of people with acquired neurotrauma. The Trust Fund Advisory Board disburses CNI funds through a competitive grant application process for research proposals and innovative community-based rehabilitation programs. https://www.vacni.org/
