Training

The Brain Injury Association of NYS has developed an innovative training program for civilian and military providers of brain injury services, entitled Understanding Life with Brain Injury. This program is offered by the NYS Department of Health in cooperation with BIANYS.

The session reviews facts and information about the nature of brain injury, and focuses on developing a greater awareness of the day-to-day and life-long consequences of brain injury. The training also assists staff in understanding the experiences of individuals with TBI and how they may differ from preconceived perceptions of behavior and feelings. Some topics addressed include:

• Developing and enhancing competency about the common effects of brain injury
• Exploring the myths and realities of brain injury
• Learning to use creative questioning to build consensus
• Practicing the rule of “don’t assume”
• Building and maintaining effective staff/participant teams

The training also helps staff find effective ways to communicate with and support individuals with brain injury. Issues such as personal dignity, privacy, personal choices and goals, freedom from abuse, and freedom from isolation are highlighted.

Three different training modules are available, and can be modified for your specific needs.

1. Train the trainer version. (3 hours) Designed to provide senior staff of New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver Program providers and other senior level staff with the necessary tools for training direct care staff.
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2. Direct care staff version. (2 ½ hours) Designed to provide direct care staff with a basic understanding of TBI and how it affects those that they care for.
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3. Military version (2 ½ to 3 hours) Designed to provide direct care staff, social workers, counselors, medical personnel, law enforcement, clinicians, and others who work with service members and veterans, with an understanding of TBI and how it may affect the persons that they care for or interact with in therapeutic, counseling, employment, or other life situations.

To schedule a training session, or for more information, please contact Carla Giovanniello at (518) 459-7911 or via email.