The BrainSTEPS (Strategies Teaching Educators, Parents, & Students) Brain Injury School Re-Entry Consulting Program assists Pennsylvania schools in creating appropriate educational plans for students following acquired brain injury (ABI). ABIs are brain injuries that occur after birth and include both traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and non-traumatic brain injuries (non-TBI). ABIs can cause cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and behavioral impairments that impact classroom performance and learning.

The BrainSTEPS Program was created in 2007 by the PA Department of Health. BrainSTEPS is funded jointly through the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education and implemented by the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania.

Return to Learn (RTL)

While it is true that an athlete must be 100% symptom-free before Return to Sports, they do NOT need to be 100% symptom-free to RTL. The majority of children who sustain an ABI will return to school with at least one impact cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and/or behavioral.

A student who:

1. Has an acquired brain injury

2. Is having difficulty at school as a result of the acquired brain injury

Concussion referrals are taken at 4 weeks post-concussion unless the severity warrants a referral sooner.

Anyone can make a referral:

1. Scan the QR Code or Go to www.brainsteps.net

2. Click on Make a Student Referral and fill out the required information.

3. Click submit.

4. Once the MIU IV BrainSTEPS team receives the referral the school will be contacted to discuss the case.

5. There will be a one-time fee of $400 billed to the district. The BrainSTEPS team will follow the student until graduation.

Every 9 seconds someone in the United States sustains a brain injury. In Pennsylvania, approximately 22,000 children and adolescents sustain a concussion annually. In this training, participants will learn about acquired brain injuries including concussions. We will discuss the signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries, educational supports and accommodations for in the classroom, and participate in hands-on demonstrations to better understand symptoms of a brain injury.

The Return to Learn Concussion Management Teams (CMTs) are trained to support students returning to the demands of school while promoting recovery for the initial 4-6 weeks post-concussion.

Your school can participate in the Free, Online 5.5 hours, On-Demand Official Return to Learn Concussion Management Team (CMT) Training Course.

For more information contact Karen Chambers or Richael Fertig.

please contact:
Karen Chambers or Richael Fertig
MIU IV's BrainSTEPS Program Team Leaders

Email: karen.chambers@miu4.org or richael.fertig@miu4.org