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Training and Consultation (TaC) » BrainSTEPS

BrainSTEPS

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BrainSTEPS (Strategies Teaching Educators, Parents, & Students) is a statewide program created in 2007 by the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania. The program helps bridge the gap between medical care, rehabilitation, and education while supporting families and schools.

BrainSTEPS serves students in grades K–12 who have experienced an acquired brain injury (ABI), including concussions, traumatic brain injuries (mild to severe), and non-traumatic brain injuries.

The program is jointly funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. BrainSTEPS teams are specially trained to help school districts support students as they return to learning following a brain injury.

 

Why BrainSTEPS Is Important

  • Each year, approximately 1,000 Pennsylvania children under age 17 are hospitalized with moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries.

  • More than 22,000 children, teens, and young adults (ages 0–21) experience concussions or mild traumatic brain injuries annually in Pennsylvania.

Although concussions often occur during sports, physical education classes, or playground activities, they can also happen during everyday routines. All concussions are serious, and early recognition and response are critical to recovery and prevent additional injury.  

 

Types of Acquired Brain Injuries

 

Brain injuries can range from mild to severe. Traumatic brain injuries may happen because of events such as concussions, car accidents, bike or pedestrian accidents, falls, sports injuries, abuse, or gunshot wounds.

Brain injuries can also occur for medical reasons that are not related to an accident. These may include stroke, brain tumors, lack of oxygen, choking or near-drowning, heart problems, infections or viruses affecting the brain, long-COVID, encephalitis, Lyme disease, carbon monoxide poisoning, or mold exposure.

 

Recovery and School Support

Most students recover from concussion symptoms within four weeks. However, about 30% experience symptoms that last longer, and some students may have long-term challenges related to their brain injury.

Because recovery looks different for every student, ongoing support at school is essential.

 

How BrainSTEPS Supports Schools and Families

BrainSTEPS partners with school districts to:

  • Provide consultation and training for school staff

  • Share strategies to support recovery and learning

  • Assist with a safe and successful return to academics

 

In addition, BrainSTEPS offers 5.5 hours of free, self-paced online training focused on concussion management and return-to-learn practices for school staff throughout Pennsylvania. This training is available at concussions.brainsteps.net.

 

For more information contact: 

Adrienne Stiteler

BrainSTEPS Team Leader 

[email protected] / 724.463.5300 x.1105

https://sites.google.com/iu28.org/arin-iu-28-brainsteps/home

 

Additional resources & referrals can be made at https://www.brainsteps.net/home 

Anyone can refer a student with a brain injury to BrainSTEPS!

 

 

 

 

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