State Organizations

The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) is a statewide nonprofit membership organization that advocates on behalf of individuals with brain injury and their families, and promotes prevention. Established in 1982, BIANYS provides education, advocacy, and community support services that lead to improved outcomes for children and adults with brain injuries and their families. BIANYS also offers a toll-free Family Help Line, chapters and support groups throughout the State, prevention programs, mentoring programs, a speakers bureau, a video library and a publications library. BIANYS plays a central role in the development of public policy on the Federal, State and local levels.

Through its Military Veterans Service Project, BIANYS s working to build awareness about combat-related traumatic brain injury and its impact on our returning military.

The New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs was created in 1945 with the task of assisting service men and women with readjustment from the military to civilian life. Its mission is to advocate for veterans and work to ensure that they receive benefits granted by law for their service. Through a network of benefits counselors located throughout the State, the Division of Veterans’ Affairs helps veterans determine their eligibility for benefits and apply. On the Division’s Web site, one can find the “What's Next?” module which guides returning veterans through the process of enrolling for veterans benefits.

The Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) originated out of a Department of Defense (DoD) pilot program for health care delivery. FDHPO has provided a platform to analyze the existing health care delivery options and to seek new opportunities for leveraging health care resources to carry out a regional health care approach and meet the needs of the expanding military population, significantly strengthening the health care system serving the more than 38,000 DoD beneficiaries in the Fort Drum health service area.

The mission of Institute for Professional Development in the Addictions (IPDA) is to provide evidence-based resources, training, education, guidance and technical support to all addictions professionals in New York State by improving their skills and competency. IPDA also fosters collaboration between professionals in research, education, training, prevention, practice and policy. IPDA has been active in convening and training behavioral health providers in New York State on the reintegration issues of returning veterans and their families. Specifically, IPDA has conducted three Veterans Roundtable conferences in New York City, Fort Drum/Watertown, and Buffalo. In addition, IPDA is providing free online education courses on these issues.