Every year, thousands of students in Pennsylvania experience brain injuries that affect their ability to learn and behave in the classroom. To support these students, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit offers BrainSTEPS: a program that provides brain injury consultation and training to school districts.
What is BrainSTEPS?
BrainSTEPS (Strategies Teaching Educators, Parents, & Students) was launched in 2007 by the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania to bridge the gap between the medical, rehabilitation, and education systems, while also supporting families. The program helps students in grades K–12 who have experienced an acquired brain injury (ABI)—whether from a concussion or traumatic injury, a moderate or severe injury, or a non-traumatic cause.
Jointly funded by the PA Department of Education and the PA Department of Health, BrainSTEPS teams are highly trained to assist school districts in supporting students as they return to learning.
Why it matters
The numbers are striking:
- Each year, about 1,000 children in Pennsylvania under age 17 are hospitalized with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Over 22,000 children, teens, and young adults ages 0–21 experience concussions or mild TBIs annually in PA.
While many concussions happen during sports or physical activities like PE class or on the playground, they can also occur during routine activities. All concussions are serious, and early recognition and response are critical to prevent further injury and promote recovery.
Recovery timelines
Most students recover from concussion symptoms within four weeks. However, 30% of students may experience symptoms that last longer. A smaller percentage may face lifelong challenges related to their brain injury.
This is why ongoing support at school is so important.
How BrainSTEPS helps
BrainSTEPS teams partner with school districts to:
- Provide consultation and training to staff.
- Offer strategies for supporting recovery and learning.
- Guide schools and families through the transition back to academics.
Additionally, BrainSTEPS offers 5.5 hours of free online training on concussion management and return-to-learn strategies for school staff across Pennsylvania. You can access this training at: concussions.brainsteps.net
Contact us
For more information or to refer a student:
Visit www.brainsteps.net
Contact Jamie Moder, BrainSTEPS Team Leader at the AIU, at jamie.moder@aiu3.net