Virginia Brain Injury Needs & Resources Assessment: Survivor and Caregiver Consultants
The Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) has contracted with James Madison University (JMU) for a project that includes conducting a comprehensive needs and resources assessment specific to brain injury services.
This project will comprehensively review brain injury service needs and assessments in Virginia. It is expected to inform strategic planning better to serve the needs of persons with brain injury, provide a data-driven basis for decision-making related to future policy initiatives, assist policymakers in supporting legislative initiatives, support service providers, and assist brain injury survivors and their caregivers as they navigate the system(s) to obtain appropriate services.
As a survivor or caregiver with Brain Injury Services, this is an opportunity for you to assist as a consultant with the project. Consultants must be willing to publicly share their names and roles in the project (as this is part of the grant requirement). Two consultants are needed for this project: 1) a brain injury survivor and 2) a family member/caregiver of a survivor.

To learn more, https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:aa12c8fb-6600-4af2-b3f0-062081d1179e

Trauma Survivors Network Trauma Talk | Wednesday, September 18, 6 – 7:30 PM | In Person
Location: Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Rd, Fairfax
Trauma Talk is a monthly group hosted by the Trauma Survivors Network (TSN) that connects trauma survivors and offers recovery support. It is open to survivors, caregivers, and family members. To join, contact Shira Rothberg at Shira.Rothberg@inova.org or 703-776-4930.

I am Worthy of Rest: Yoga Nidra for Sleep after Brain Injury |Wednesday, October 2, 6:00 – 7:15 PM | Virtual
Learn how sleep and mental health are impacted after brain injury and how Yoga Nidra meditation has been proven to help! You’ll experience a range of simple and effective practices, like progressive muscle relaxation, to use when teaching or supporting yourself. https://give.loveyourbrain.com/event/i-am-worthy-of-rest-yoga-nidra-for-sleep-after-brain-injury/e606154?c_src=email

Stroke Comeback Club | Monday, October 22, 1 – 2 PM | Hybrid
Online: Click HERE to join. Meeting ID: 862 5696 3677
In Person: MedStar NRH TeleHealth Conference Room, 102 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC
This group is for stroke survivors, their families, and their friends. It meets on the fourth Monday of every month. For more information, call 202-877-1026.

Front Royal Stroke Support Group | Monday, October 7, 4:30 – 6 PM | In Person
Meetings are on the first Monday of the month in the Front Royal, VA area. Locations will be determined based on activity. Contact: Juhi Vora, CCC-SLP, at 812-369-9180 or jvora@valleyhealthlink.com

Fredericksburg Stroke Support Group | Tuesday, October 1, 6:30 – 8 PM | Hybrid
Virtual or in-person, the John Fick Conference Center, 1301 Sam Perry Blvd, Fredericksburg
Free monthly support group for stroke survivors and caregivers. Meets the first Tuesday of the month.
Contact: Susan Halpin at 540-741-4815 or Susan.halpin@mwhc.com

Inova Fairfax Stroke Survivors and Caregivers Support Group | Tuesday, October 1, 7 – 8:30 PM
Share your story and help others. Learn about reducing the risk for stroke and find community services available to you. Meeting on the first Tuesday of the month. Contact: fairfaxstrokesupport@inova.org or Katy Brown at 703-776-3715 or Katherine.brown2@inova.org

Brain Injury Association of America’s THE Challenge!
This summer edition focuses on brain injury research. https://www.biausa.org/public-affairs/public-awareness/challenge-magazine/research-10

October CLiC Social | Thursday, October 31, 7 – 8 PM | Virtual
A free, online social group for adult brain injury survivors offered by Brain Injury Solutions. Meetings are on the last Thursday of each month. Registration link: https://bisolutions.webex.com/bisolutions/j.php?MTID=m4b797f946c261807e1a265052318f24c

October CLiC Care | Tuesday, October 8, 7 – 8:30 PM| Virtual
Feldenkrais Movement with Alison Babil
The Feldenkrais Method® uses gentle movement and directed attention to help people learn new and more effective ways of living the life they want. CLiC Care is a free online support group for brain injury survivors, caregivers, and loved ones across Virginia. Meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month. Registration Link: https://bisolutions.webex.com/weblink/register/rcef0e8c49a8f9c5f6904c6e42a679a5b

VHC Health Stroke Survivor’s Group | Saturday, October 26, 5:30 – 7 PM |Hybrid
Attend in-person or virtually: 1851 N. George Mason Dr, Garden Level Conference Room, Arlington —
Our group provides friendship, education, and information on resources. Other than October, the group meets on the second Wednesday of every month. Contact: https://vhc-stroke-survivors.ck.page/ and strokesurvivors@vhchealth.org

Stroke & Brain Injury Support Group | Thursday, October 17, 4 – 5 PM | Hybrid
An in-person AND virtual support group to share personal experiences, listen to others with a stroke/brain injury history, and learn about new research and information—meeting on the third Thursday of every month.
Contact Hannah Balberde at Hannah.Balberde@Encompasshealth.com

Love Your Brain Mindset Program for Caregivers| Fridays, October 11 – November 15, 1 – 2 PM | Virtual
Research-backed, six-week program for caregivers! Meets weekly on Zoom – join from wherever you are. Improves self-compassion, emotion regulation, and stress management for caregivers of people with TBI/concussion, stroke, tumor, and more. Create meaningful connections with a small group of caregivers led by expert facilitators.
https://www.loveyourbrain.com/mindset

Speaking on Purpose | First and Third Wednesday, 12 PM | Virtual
Many people join Toastmasters to become better speakers. Speaking on Purpose is a supportive online community for those with physical and neurological impairments, such as brain injury, to come together, practice speaking, learn new skills, and have fun! https://sop.toastmastersclubs.org/

Living With Brain Injury Support Group | Every Friday, 10 AM – 12 PM | Virtual
The Living with Brain Injury group is a unique and supportive community of individuals recovering from brain injury. This support group is intended to improve our recovery experience through respectful sharing and connective experiences.
Contact: Kristen Galles at kgalles@comcast.net

The Helping Hands Stroke Club | Every Friday, 1 – 2 PM | In Person
Meeting topics vary and include open discussions, guest speakers, fitness demonstrations, cooking classes, potlucks, health expos, game days, and creative therapies such as art and music therapy. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/speech-hearing/services

Music Therapy Support Group for Caregivers and Care Partners | Virtual
Anderson Music Therapy is hosting a monthly music therapy support group for caregivers and care partners of individuals. The group will meet every Monday and Wednesday from 11:10 am – 12 pm for twelve weeks (24 sessions total). Contact: Megan Oglesby at Megan@amusictherapy.com or 540-384-1788