Happy New Year from all of us at Neuro Community Care!
We have exciting programs coming in 2022. Please look out for upcoming training opportunities for providers and social opportunities for warriors and families!

TBI / Veteran Related Trainings

**Please note these trainings are intended to support your professional development, but are not required by NCC.Therefore, the registration fee and time spent participating in these external webinars may not be billed to NCC.

Thursday, January 13: Pseudobulbar Affect (Pba) In Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury (Tbi)
Presented by the Brain Injury Association of America
3pm ET. Free.
Details and registration found here.

Tuesday, January 18: Coping with Loss When Death is Stigmatized
Presented by TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing
12pm ET. Free.
Details and registration here.

Wednesday, January 19: Fight For What You Need
Presented by the Brain Injury Association of America
3pm ET. Free.
Details and registration found here.

Wednesday, January 19: Medicare Changes in 2022: What Providers Need to Know
Presented by the Military Family Learning Network
11am ET. CEUs available. Free.
Details and registration found here.

Wednesday, January 19: PTSD and Eating Disorders
Presented by PTSD Consultation Program: Lecture Series
2pm ET. CEUs available. Free.
Details and registration found here.

Wednesday, January 19: Dementia In The Community: Intergenerational Programming Aimed At Engaging Children, Youth And People Living With Dementia
Presented by the American Society on Aging
12pm PT. CEUs available. Free.
Details and registration found here.

Friday, January 21: Transition and Vocational Rehabilitation

Presented by the The Center on Brain Injury Research and Training

10am – 3pm PT. CEUs available. Free.
Details and registration found here.

Tuesday, January 25: Primary Care At Home–How One Area Agency On Aging Is Bringing Back The House Call
Presented by the American Society on Aging
10am PT. CEUs available. Free.
Details and registration found here.

On Demand: Employment Accommodations, Innovations and Assistive Technology for TBI
Presented by the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators
Recordings available here.

Resource Recommendation:

Love Your Brain

Love Your Brain Intro Video

We’re excited to announce our new strategic partnership with LoveYourBrain, a non-profit that improves the quality of life of people affected by traumatic brain injury (including concussion) through programs that build community and resilience. LoveYourBrain was established by brothers, Adam and Kevin Pearce, following Kevin’s severe TBI from a snowboarding accident before the 2010 Olympics. LoveYourBrain believes that yoga, mindfulness, and community are essential to transforming the wellbeing of people with brain injury and their caregivers. That’s why they offer FREE, research-backed programs to empower the brain injury community with new tools, resources, and connections.

A recently published study of over 1,500 people who participated in the LoveYourBrain Yoga program over a two year period found significant improvements in quality of life, resilience, cognition, and positive affect. This is the largest research study ever published on the effectiveness of yoga for rehabilitation following a brain injury, and one of only a few to explore the benefits of yoga for this population specifically in community settings.

Check out some upcoming opportunities with LoveYourBrain:

LoveYourBrain Mindset Online starts in January! A free 6-week yoga, mindfulness, and education program – sign up today at www.loveyourbrain.com/mindset
LoveYourBrain Yoga in January! A free 6-week in-person yoga and mindfulness program in yoga studios and hospitals across the US and Canada – sign up today at www.loveyourbrain.com/yoga
LoveYourBrain Online Caregiver Retreat in January supports caregivers to build skills in boundary setting, mindfulness, processing grief, and trusting your goodness. Sign up today at www.loveyourbrain.com/attend-a-virtual-caregiver-retreat
LoveYourBrain Yoga Trainings are 20-hour online trainings for yoga teachers, health professionals, and people affected by brain injury to gain the skills and confidence to offer yoga and meditation for the brain injury community. CEUs and scholarships offered where applicable. Learn more and sign up: www.loveyourbrain.com/train-with-us

Sign up for our upcoming Online Caregiver Retreat to explore skillful boundaries, mindfulness, trusting your goodness, and the power of community connection!

Creative Arts Corner:

Quarters by Hector P.

I think I’ve always wanted to kill my grandfather. As far back as The Boy can remember he always fought his grandfather’s ideals on what is and what makes a man. Or his methods for making a man. One day The Boy asked his parents if he could get his ear pierced since it was the new thing and only cool kids had them, right? To his surprise they said yes! But there was one stipulation: “Take it off around your abuelo.” The boy said ok, he was so excited. The Boy’s grandfather owned a cafeteria across from the school he went to. The Boy was expected to go there during lunch break. One day, one day he forgot to take the earring out. How does the Boy remember, because when his grandfather saw him, he backhanded The Boy across the face. In front of everyone in the middle of lunch hour. The Boy remembers just walking away, trying to make sense of this new feeling inside him, not aware that something new was forming in his mind.

Artist bio:

I am Hector P., born in Puerto Rico. I am a U.S. Army retired Military Police Officer. I love music, movies, plays and any medium that tells a story. I draw inspiration from my life story and experiences. I write so I can make sense of my thoughts and feelings. I enjoy questioning everything, including myself.

Creative Arts Therapist: Several of our warriors have been participating in creative arts sessions online once a week with writing instructor Anne Alper. Sessions focus on guided writing exercises with theme prompts to develop writing skills and structured writing practice.

Ms. Alper has a Master’s in Education and Counseling, is certified through the Amherst Writers and Artist Foundation, and completed a 2 year program in California for expressive arts.