Brain Injury Association of Illinois

06/11/2026

Congratulations, Chris! Thank you for all you do for those we serve!

Congratulations to Chris Williamson, Executive Director, on being named Executive Director of the Year! With 26 years at NeuroRestorative and 5 years as Executive Director, Chris is recognized for his outstanding leadership, deep industry knowledge, and strong relationships with regulators, funders, and referral partners. His integrity, dedication, and commitment to quality services make a lasting impact on those he serves.

06/06/2026

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05/21/2026

⛳ Join FVSRA Caregiver Network for a FREE Mini Golf Morning!

We will be putting and connecting on Sunday, June 7th from 9–11am at Stone Creek Mini Golf in Geneva. Enjoy a casual round of mini golf, connect with other caregivers, and spend time together in a welcoming community atmosphere.

➡️ This event is completely FREE, but RSVP is required: bit.ly/CaregiverNetworkRSVP

The FVSRA Caregiver Network is designed to bring caregivers together through connection, support, and shared resources — and this is the perfect opportunity to join in.

05/21/2026

Disabled people often make innovative, cost-effective, and practical modifications to their homes to meet their unique accessibility and parenting needs. In this webinar, parents with a range of disabilities shared the strategies and home adaptations they have implemented to create functional, accessible spaces that support their success as parents.

Watch here: https://zurl.co/vBGE5
View the powerpoint slides: https://zurl.co/nawNm

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Image Description: Home Accessibility for Successful Parenting Webinar. Quote from panelist Patrick Cokley: So if there's anything in this, don't worry about fancy technology. Don't worry about, you know, specific bespoke solutions. Make a plan and execute it the best you can. Icons for ASL and Closed captions are visible to indicate that it comes with the recording.

05/21/2026

Illinois adults with serious mental illness on Medicaid expansion may be exempt from new federal work requirements under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — but that protection is only as strong as the rules implementing it.

Federal law identifies a "disabling mental disorder" as grounds for medical frailty exemption. But the federal rule defining how that exemption works hasn't been issued yet — and Illinois has no implementation guidance in place either. Without both, even eligible individuals risk losing coverage through administrative barriers alone.

IARF is watching this closely. The people our members serve cannot afford a paperwork gap.

05/21/2026

Are you an older adult with issues with your memory, thinking, or concentration due to a mild , , or ? The study seeks participants for open studies to design . Complete the volunteer form https://loom.ly/fYz4rWE

05/21/2026

A new publication in Rehabilitation Psychology shares findings from focus groups with people with spinal cord injury ( ), care partners and rehabilitation clinicians about rehabilitation experiences and discharge preparedness. Participants across all groups emphasized that inpatient rehabilitation stays are often too short and can leave people insufficiently prepared for community living. People with SCI and care partners highlighted challenges related to accessibility, emotional adjustment, and the need for more training and support after discharge, while clinicians discussed balancing patient needs with insurance and length-of-stay requirements. Read the paper: https://bit.ly/4dqxKl1

The focus groups are part of a -funded CROR grant investigating how inpatient rehabilitation length of stay and other factors influence outcomes for people with SCI across different countries. The findings highlight the importance of individualized, patient-centered rehabilitation and stronger support for community reintegration after discharge.

APA Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology) National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)

05/21/2026

05/21/2026

"Your Child, Your Voice" returns on Thursday, May 21, from 12 to 1 p.m. with “Staying on Track: Simple Ways to Monitor Your Child’s Progress."

This nine-part special education advocacy series from Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center offers practical strategies and real-life support on topics including:

- Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

- Extended School Year (ESY) services

- Managing transitions

- Advocating effectively

- Partnering with schools to support your child’s growth

“Your Child, Your Voice" is free and open to any families and caregivers who want to gain skills and feel more empowered in navigating their child’s education every step of the way.

The series continues from 12 to 1 p.m. with the following sessions:

- "Ready for What’s Next: Transition Planning Made Simple” on June 4

- “Big Changes, Big Feelings: Supporting Your Child Through Transitions” on June 18

- “Building Skills at Home: Supporting Everyday Learning” on July 2

- “You Matter Too: The Power of Parent Self-Care” on July 16

- "Effective Communication & Advocacy: Partnering with Your Child’s School” on July 30

- “Know Your Rights, Lead with Confidence” on Aug. 13

- “Ready, Set, School: Preparing for a Strong Start” on Aug. 27

For questions, please contact Zoubida Pasha at [email protected].

Find the link to register and learn more at https://zurl.co/0sic6.

05/21/2026