Welcome to the BIALA website!
The
Brain Injury Alliance of Louisiana (BIALA) is a non-profit organization
that serves the needs of persons with brain injury, their families, and
care providers. Our focus is to create a better future for individuals
with brain injury through brain injury prevention awareness, promotion
of research, public education, and advocacy. Goal To
provide information, referral and support to persons with brain injury
and their families, including but not limited to the following:
- Organize and support social interaction,
- Provide resources and information, and
- Promote and foster the empowerment of persons with brain injuries.
To
advocate and promote awareness in Louisiana regarding brain injury and
the rights and needs of persons with brain injuries, including but not
limited to the following:
- Increase public awareness of the incidence and consequences of brain injuries,
- Increase public awareness of the abilities and capabilities of persons with brain injury,
- Advocate for public education that address the problems of persons with brain injuries, their families and care providers, and
- Advocate for public policies that can prevent, as well as provide service to persons with, brain injuries.
BIALA Executive Director!
BIALA is pleased to introduce BIALA's Executive Director, LaVondra Dobbs. Mrs. Dobbs comes to BIALA with experience in the non-profit sector, community development and a fund raising background. Ms. Dobbs will begin as BIALA's Executive Director effective July 1, 2009.
BIALA hosts a successful Brain Injury Conference!
The March 27th. Brain Injury Conference was attended by approximately 135 participants including persons with brain injury, family members and professionals. Based on verbal feedback from participants, the conference met its goal in providing educational and resource information on relevant brain injury topics. Several participants expressed the desire to have a full two-day conference next year.
A special thanks to the following speakers:
- Dr. Howard Katz
- Rob McDaniel
- Dr. Gary Glynn, Susan Greco, and Dr. Harch
- Ellen Katz Esq., Susan Meyers Esq., and Christian Dabdoub C.W.I.C.
BIALA thanks the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) and Louisiana's Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) for helping to fund and support BIALA . This year's conference is partially sponsored by MIG. Please visit the Medicaid Purchase Plan (MPP) for information about affordable health coverage that's available to people with disabilities who work. Please visit the MPP website at www.lampp.orgBIALA graciously thanks Touro Hospital for its contribution in printing the BIALA Conference agendas.
_________________________________________________________________ Luncheon Sponsors:
- Dr. Howard Katz
- Gulf States Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- National Medical Advisor
- NeuroRestorative Associates
- Allegro Technology
_________________________________________________________________ FEMA MOBILE HOME SALES AND DONATIONS PROGRAM
- Only FEMA mobile homes and park models are available for sales and donations. Travel trailers will not be available for sale or donation.
- Units may be sold only to Individuals and Households Program eligible applicants currently leased in the units.
- The deadline for applicants to submit a notice of interest to purchase their unit was May 1, 2009.
- FEMA caseworkers informed all eligible applicants about the FEMA mobile home sales program.
- In order to purchase a FEMA mobile home or park model, the prospective buyer must be
- currently occupying the unit;
- in compliance with all applicable city, parish, and state ordinances; and
- responsible for transportation, insurance, permitting, and hazard mitigation.
- Applicants must obtain local permits or inspections.
- All units will be tested for formaldehyde prior to sale and must meet the State of Louisiana’s required acceptable level of 40 parts per billion. Other states, including Iowa, Texas, and Illinois have also set levels of 40 parts per billion.
- Formaldehyde test results and information on relevant health concerns will be provided to prospective buyers.
- Applicants may only purchase the unit they are currently residing in. No substitutions.
- Applicants must lack alternate, longer-term housing.
- Units are sold “as is where is.” No implied or expressed warranties.
- Every contract must be signed and payment received no later than May 28, 2009.
- Sales prices are based on the initial cost of the unit, less depreciation, and take into account funds provided by FEMA for repair or replacement of their permanent housing.
- FEMA will make minimal repairs to ensure that the units are safe, sanitary and functional.
- The cost of relocating and setting up the unit, if applicable, is the expense of the buyer.
- If the unit will remain on its current pad at a commercial park, the buyer must enter into a pad lease agreement with the park owner prior to the sale.
- Placement of the units must comply with local floodplain management codes.
- If the unit will be placed in an identified flood hazard area, then flood insurance is required.
FEMA’s Mobile Home Donation - FEMA has been coordinating with multiple voluntary organizations to establish mobile home donations programs to assist residents with more long term housing. Some of these organizations include:
- Grace Harbour Christian Ministries
- Silver Lining Foundation
- New Beginnings Outreach Ministries
- Hope Missions
- WEROC
- Cameron Parish has also expressed interest in hosting a donations program.
- The deadline for both applicants and agencies to register to participate in the donations program was May 1, 2009.
- FEMA caseworkers met with eligible applicants to educate them about the donations program and the process to apply.
- Currently, FEMA is reviewing eligibility for approximately 400 applicants for the donations program.
Editors: For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov. | Points of Interest Continued
BIALA Board Meeting July 9, 2009 10:00 AM New Orleans, Louisiana For Details on Location Contact dgallegos@biala.org
Acquired Brain Injury Survivors of South East Louisiana News Letter Please click on ABIS .pdf below to view the News Letter
2009 Brain Injury Alliance Executive Board of Directors
Tessie DiFulco President tdifulco@biala.org
David Gallegos Vice-President dgallegos@biala.org
Susan Bushnell Secretary sbushnell@biala.org
Joyce Rice Treasurer jrice@biala.org
BIALA Staff
LaVondra Dobbs BIALA Executive Director ldobbs@biala.org
Madonna Franco Resource Coordinator mfranco@biala.org
2009 Board Members
Suzanne Lentz-Hammond Place NeuroRestorative Associates
slentz@biala.org
Janet Clark-Touro Hospital jclark@biala.org
Mona Doshani-MD MPH Medical Epidemiologist DHH/Louisiana Office of Public Health mdoshani@biala.org
Paul Genco-NeuroRestoratives Associates
pgenco@biala.org
C.J. Rogers-Jefferson Chamber cjrogers@biala.org
Elaine Richard-Community Member Advocate/Technical
Consultant- Center For Workers With Disabilities erichard@biala.org
Contact Info: BIALA P.O. Box 57527 New Orleans, LA 70157 Toll-Free # : 1-800-500-2026 Phone : 504-619-9989 Email: info@biala.org |