BrainSTEPS

BrainSTEPS Brain Injury School Consulting Program in Pennsylvania:  The BrainSTEPS Program was created in 2007 to build a bridge connecting the medical, rehabilitation, education sectors and families following students (K - 12) acquired brain injury (ABI). BrainSTEPS provides brain injury-related consultation and training to school staff, students, and parents in all Pennsylvania Public Schools.

Each year, approximately 4,000 of Pennsylvania's children survive severe traumatic brain injuries significant enough to require hospitalization. In addition, over 22,000 children and youth sustain concussions which are mild traumatic brain injuries. Many are left with life-altering difficulties in physical, cognitive, or behavioral
functioning.

BrainSTEPS is working to make sure that the individuals who provide educational support to children with acquired brain injuries have an understanding of brain injury, the resulting challenges, and the supports and interventions that will help these students achieve educational success through graduation.

BrainSTEPS Consulting Teams are comprised of professionals from varying disciplines who have received extensive training on educating children with brain injuries. When a child who attends a Pennsylvania school has experienced educational effects following a brain injury, a BrainSTEPS team from the child's county of residence will act as consultants to coordinate services and provide training and resources to educators and families.

BrainSTEPS consultants assist students with acquired brain injuries (ABI). Acquired brain injuries are brain injuries that occur after birth and include traumatic brain injuries (brain injuries caused by external physical force) and non-traumatic brain injuries (brain injuries caused by internal forces) such as stroke, seizure
disorder, brain tumor, aneurysm, etc. Concussions are traumatic brain injuries.

BrainSTEPS Information

Make a Referral

Team Members

Melissa Hunter
BrainSTEPS Team Chair
724-785-7472 ext. 548
melissa.hunter@iu1.org

Amanda Adkins
724-938-3241 ext. 617
amanda.adkins@iu1.org

Dawn Fredericks
724-239-5911 ext. 1166
dawn.fredericks@iu1.org

Dr. Kristin J. Szewczyk
Assistant Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator
724-938-3241 ext. 242
kristin.szewczyk@iu1.org

Advocacy and Support Groups

Advisory Board on Autism & Related Disorders (ABOARD)
800-827-9385
http://www.aboard.org

The ARC of PA
800-692-7258
717-234-2621
http://www.thearcpa.org

Fayette ARC
866-438-9042
http://www.arcfayette.org

Greene ARC
724-627-5511
http://www.waynesburg.edu

The ARC of Washington County
724-222-1435

Autism Society of America—PA Chapter
610-358-5256 (Philadelphia & Suburbs)
412-856-7223 (Pittsburgh)
http://www.asaphilly.org

Children with Attention Deficit Disorders
800-233-4050
301-306-7070 (National Office)
http://www.chadd.org

Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
800-692-7443
717-236-8110
http://www.drnpa.org

Easter Seal Society
412-281-7244 ext. 223
http://westernpa.easterseals.com

Epilepsy Foundation
800-361-5885
http://www.efwe.org

Learning Disabilities Association of PA
412-334-0224
http://www.ldaamerica.org

Southwestern Local Task Force
800-328-6481 ext. 205

National Alliance on Mental Health
412-366-3788
http://namipa.nami.org

Muscular Dystrophy Association
800-572-1717
http://www.mda.org

Parent Education and Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center
866-950-1040
http://www.pealcenter.org

Parent Education Network
800-522-5827
717-600-0100
http://www.parentednet.org

Tourette Syndrome Society
800-990-3300
7174-337-1134
http://www.patsainc.org

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Western Pennsylvania
724-836-593
http://www.ucp.org