Resources
Here are some helpful contact information and links to online resources. Some offer supports specifically for traumatic brain injury, while others provide services for a variety of disabilities and special needs.
REAP Concussion Management Program
REAP Concussion Manual
“The Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to introduce the Arkansas version of the REAP Concussion Management Program. REAP provides the most up-to- date information surrounding concussion management incorporating the latest research with current state, national, and international consensus guidelines. The REAP manual is used across the country as a guide to collaborate and coordinate care for a child who has sustained a concussion.”
Stacy Smith, Deputy Commissioner, Arkansas Department of Education
Arkansas Contacts
Arkansas Activities Association | Sports Medicine
The Arkansas Activities Association issues annual guidelines and return to play protocols for sports coaches, parents, and athletes.
Arkansas A.W.A.R.E. is a project to support districts in efforts to provide mental health care awareness and trauma informed practices.
Arkansas Behavior Support Specialist
In an effort to support the DESE vision, mission, and goals, the Arkansas Behavior Support Specialists will build local district capacity by providing educators with support and services needed to implement evidenced-based behavioral practices that meet the needs of all students.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital Concussion Clinic
501-364-4000
The ACH Concussion Clinic offers a comprehensive approach to the evaluation and management of children who might have sustained a concussion. It is a collaborative effort that involves primary care, sports medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians. The team is supported by neuropsychologists, physical therapists, social workers and athletic trainers.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital Neuroscience Center
For non-sports-related concussions & young children, nationally renowned specialists give expert care for children suffering from a wide range of neurological disorders, treating brain, nervous system, and neuromuscular disorders.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital Orthopedic Clinic
Children with sports-related concussions are typically seen in this clinic.
The Arkansas PBIS Training Modules were developed to support districts and schools in Arkansas that are interested in PBIS implementation
Shortened school day and homebound decision guidance for students receiving special education services.
This service provides a range of resources and assistance to help meet general needs of students with significant disabilities and includes educational and/or related service consultants as well as resources.
The Arkansas Department of Education has identified five guiding principles that support educators, business leaders, communities and students in their efforts to help all Arkansans develop these critical skills. Each principle represents a set of skills needed to thrive at home, school, on the job and in the community. These guiding principles are: Growth, Understanding, Interaction, Decisions, and Empathy.
Inclusive education is a school-wide culture and practice of valuing each student as a learner across general education classrooms, rather than a particular program or place. Inclusion provides students with disabilities equitable access and opportunity in the general education curriculum and ensures that each student receives the educational resources and rigor they need at the right moment in their education. In inclusive schools, educators’ roles are restructured for shared accountability and responsibility. Learners who need differentiated support and additional intervention receive it. And school leaders use schedules, teacher teams, and data to ensure the academic progress and success of each student.
UAMS Trauma Rehabilitation Resources Program
501-526-7656
Through education and resource development initiatives, TRRP works to increase access to comprehensive, cutting-edge rehabilitation care and facilitate community reintegration for Arkansans who have sustained traumatic injuries.
Nurse Hotline
1-855-767-6983
For 24/7 medical advice on a brain injury or spinal cord injury.
National Contacts
American Occupational Therapy Association
Occupational therapy practitioners are key rehabilitation professionals in assisting individuals with brain injury to reintegrate back into the community. Their education and training make them experts at evaluation and analysis of an individual’s performance abilities relative to the demands of the activity.
American Physical Therapy Association
A physical therapist can help address the challenges and functional limitations associated with brain injury. Depending on the severity of the injury, the patient’s level of consciousness, and the problems the patient has, the treatment plan will widely vary.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists play a key role in the screening, assessment, and treatment of people with TBI. This may include clinical services (assessment, planning, and treatment), prevention, and advocacy, as well as education, administration, and research.
Brain Injury Association of America
1-800-444-6443
A primary authority on medical diagnosis and treatment, disease management, research and life challenges associated with brain injury, as well as a leading influence of public awareness, education, and public policy change.
Since its founding in 1986, the Brain Trauma Foundation has worked toward improving the outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injuries through the development of evidence-based guidelines, groundbreaking research partnerships, and educational outreach.
CASEL is committed to advancing equity and excellence in education through social and emotional learning
Founded by Olympic snowboarder Kevin Pearce, LoveYourBrain embodies a positive approach to brain injury prevention and healing with programs designed to build community, foster resilience, and help people understand the importance of loving their brains.
National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA)
Assists state governments in promoting partnerships and building systems to meet the needs of individuals with brain injury and their families.
1-404-352-2020
A private, not-for-profit hospital in Atlanta, Georgia specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, spine and chronic pain, and other neuromuscular conditions.
This comprehensive public outreach program focuses on the importance of sports safety, specifically relating to overuse and trauma injuries.
Information about Brain Injury
Brain Injury Association of America
The website for the Brain Injury Association of America has a wealth of useful information for people with brain injuries and their families, covering everything from diagnosis and treatment to general issues about what to expect.
Brainline is a comprehensive website on TBI. Find videos and other resources about traumatic brain injury in children including valuable help for parents.
The Center on Brain Injury Research and Training
541-346-0593
CBIRT, a center under the Department of Psychology at the University of Oregon, conducts research and training to improve the lives of children and adults with traumatic brain injury. CBIRT’s research focuses on developing interventions to improve outcomes related to education, employability, and quality of life. Training activities promote the use of best practices among educators and other professionals who serve individuals with TBI.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC defines a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury. Everyone is at risk for a TBI, especially children and older adults. Learn more and find resources on their website.
Local Brain Injury Support Groups
To visit the Arkansas TBI Facebook Group, please click below.
To view the Online Support Groups, please click below.
Information provided by UAMS Trauma Rehab Resources Program.
Dates and locations are subject to change. Please call ahead to verify date and location before attending.
Little Rock
When: 3rd Wednesday of every month at 11:30 am
Where: Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute, ground floor, Inservice Education Room. 9501 Baptist Health Drive
Information: (501) 202-7047
Lunch is provided
Hot Springs
When: 2nd Thursday of every month at 2:30 pm
Where: Roland Room at CHI St Vincent, 300 Werner St
Information: (501) 416-6325
Texarkana
When: 2nd Thursday of every month from 11am- 1pm
Where: St Michael Rehab in the Dogwood Room, 2400 St Michael Drive, Texarkana
Information: linda.hampton@christushealth.org (903) 614-4271
Lunch is provided. If you are new or have not attended in awhile, please contact Linda to verify time and date!
Fayetteville
When: 2nd Tuesday of every month from 1-2pm
Where: SOURCES Conference room, 1918 Birch Ave
Information: Call Brooke at (888) 284-7521
Jonesboro
When: 2nd Thursday of every month at 1pm
Where: Encompass Health (formerly Health South) lower lobby, 1201 Fleming Ave.
Information: Ashley Watson: (870) 351-5995
Memphis
When: 3rd Tuesday of every month (except July) at 5:30 pm
Where: Regional One Health Rehabilitation Hospital, 3rd floor in Turner Tower Dining Room, 890 Madison Ave
Information: (901) 545-8487
Free parking in Turner Tower lot. Must call to reserve a spot. Click here for directions/parking info.
Brain Injury Publications
Here are some encouraging publications for people who have survived a traumatic injury or have a disability, courtesy of UAMS Trauma Rehab Resources Program:
Brain & Life
The American Academy of Neurology’s patient-education magazine, available free to patients, caregivers, and all interested in neurology for everyday living. Scroll down past the “subscription look up” box and fill out the form to sign up.
HOPE Magazine is a publication that supports the brain injury/concussion community. Subscribers will receive a monthly email with a free digital copy of HOPE Magazine as well as the option to purchase the magazine in print on Amazon.
A newsletter for Arkansans living with traumatic brain injury. Send your mailing address to atrp@uams.edu to receive this free quarterly newsletter.
A quarterly newsletter for Arkansans living with spinal cord injury. When you follow the link, you will need to scroll down to the “Newsletter” section. There is a link there to subscribe to receive this publication for free.
Bell Ringer: The Invisible Brain Injury
“AETN produces programs like ‘Bell Ringer’ to help inform Arkansas educators, students and families and positively impact health and safety in our state.” AETN produced “Bell Ringer” in response to The Arkansas Concussion Protocol Act of 2013, as well as Act 1214 of 2011, which requires coaches to complete training on concussions.
Return to Learn Following a Concussion (Online Article)
Mark E. Halstead, Karen McAvoy, Cynthia D. Devore, Rebecca Carl, Michael Lee, Kelsey Logan, Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness and Council on School Health. Pediatrics November 2013, 132 (5) 948-957; DOI: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/132/5/948