The Brain Injury Association of Tennessee (BIAT) is a 501(c)3 non-profit,
statewide organization overseen by a board of directors.

The primary mission of BIAT is to provide ongoing information, support and referral services to survivors of traumatic brain injury, their families and the public. The membership is comprised of people with brain injuries, their families and friends, and service providers who are working together to provide education, advocacy and support for those affected by brain injury. BIAT is a chartered Affiliate of the Brain Injury Association of America, Inc., located in Washington, D.C.

Traumatic brain injury, also known as TBI, is defined as an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force. Due to advances in medical technology, many people who would not have lived a few years ago, are now surviving these injuries. As a result, these individuals have to struggle to overcome, and in some cases live with, physical, cognitive and/or emotional problems, many of which will significantly alter their life and that of their families.

Each brain injury is unique and the manifestation of deficits depends on the age of the survivor, the severity of the injury and the availability of medical services. Brain injuries are caused most frequently by motor vehicle accidents followed by falls, sports injuries and assaults. The population most at risk for brain injury is males ages 15 to 34. In Tennessee in 2005, over 900 persons in this age group incurred a moderate to severe brain injury. Many survivors are young, male, and are being cared for by family members.

In 1983, when medical technology improved and people began surviving traumatic brain injuries in much greater numbers, head injury awareness was still new to public policy discussions. A group of concerned family members and volunteers decided to create the first head injury organization in Tennessee; thus the East Tennessee Interest Group on Traumatic Brain Injury, Inc. was born.

Personifying the true “volunteer” spirit of Tennessee, the new organization was led by volunteers whose focus was to increase awareness of head injury issues. In 1988, the name became the Tennessee Head Injury Association (THIA), changing again in 1995 to the Brain Injury Association of Tennessee (BIAT).

In 1993 a part-time staff person was hired and the organization’s primary focus became the improvement in the quality of life for brain injury survivors and their families. In addition, BIAT rallied their support group members from across the state and petitioned the Tennessee General Assembly to establish a brain injury program within state government. Largely due to their efforts, the Traumatic Brain Injury Program was established that year and housed in the Department of Health.

Currently, BIAT collaborates in the oversight of a network of statewide support groups. A conference is held each year in Nashville, with participants attending from all three of Tennessee’s major geographic regions. With the support of the Developmental Disabilities Council, BIAT started the “TBI Families Share” peer mentoring program. Training is available for families across the state. Various hospitals and rehabilitation facilities include information about the peer mentoring program in their orientation packets.

A toll-free Family Helpline was established in 2005. “Care Packages” are mailed to TBI survivors and their families who call the helpline. The Brain Injury Association of Tennessee provides support and referral services to TBI survivors, family members and TBI associated professional in all three major regions of the state.