Call Our Helpline
Helpline: 732-783-6172
Email: info@bianj.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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The Helpline is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. When you call, a trained Community Resource Specialist will talk with you. They can give you support, information about brain injury, and details about BIANJ programs. Your conversation will be kept private.
The Helpline does not take the place of professional or medical advice.
CARES Programs
The BIANJ CARES (Connections, Assistance, Resources, Education and Support) Program helps people and families affected by brain injury. This program focuses on assessing current needs and developing a plan to help individuals achieve their greatest potential and improve their quality of life.
The CARES Community Resource Specialists can help with:
- finding community based resources and benefits
- social activities
- job support
- medical and rehab services
- emotional support
To be eligible, applicants must live in New Jersey, have a diagnosis of brain injury, and demonstrate a need for services.
BIANJ CARES is currently accepting referrals. To join or refer someone, please fill out the referral form.
If you have questions about CARES, please call 732-783-6172 or email info@bianj.org.
CARES for KIDS is a free direct support program for families who have a child under the age of 21 who has a brain injury.
Our Community Resource Specialist will help you
- form connections to resources
- attend school meetings to ensure success
- refer to recreational programs, social services agencies and medical providers
- provide education via home visits, community outreach, and more
To be eligible for CARES for KIDS, the family must live in New Jersey, have a diagnosis of brain injury, and demonstrate a need for services.
CARES for KIDS is currently accepting referrals. To join or refer someone to the program, please complete the referral form.
If you have questions about CARES, please call 732-783-6172 or email info@bianj.org.
BIANJ Support & Other Groups
Brain injury support groups allow people with brain injuries and their family members to connect with others, share experiences, and get emotional support. They also offer helpful information and friendships. Our support groups are located in 13 counties and statewide virtually. The Alliance monitors the activities of these groups, the qualifications of their leaders, and provides information regularly.
Before attending, please contact the support group leaders listed or the BIANJ office at 732-745-0200 to confirm the status of the group. Thank you for your understanding — we’re here to help.
BIANJ Groups
Meetings are held:
Every other Wednesday at 11:00AM
The fourth Monday of each month at 6:30PM
Meetings are held:
The first Wednesday of each month at 11:00AM:
The second Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM:
Caring for someone with a severe brain injury or a disorder of consciousness (DOC) can feel overwhelming and lonely—but you’re not alone. This support group is open to all caregivers—parents, spouses, siblings, or friends—who are supporting a loved one with a severe brain injury or DOC.
Join us to to share experiences, find emotional support, and gain helpful information and resources. Meetings are led by staff from the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (BIANJ) and a medical fellow from Hackensack Meridian Health Care.
We meet on Zoom every third Tuesday of the month.
Passaic/Bergen Group at Rehabilitation Specialists
18-01 Pollitt Drive, Suite 1A, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Contacts: Jennifer Victoria Proano, 201-478-4200, ext. 31 Allison Kronyak 201-478-4200, ext.22. Shatera Taylor 201-478-4200, ext.19
Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM
Meetings are being held in a hybrid format, alternating in-person and virtual meeting. Please contact the support group leader for the location of the upcoming meeting.
Bergen County Young Adult Group at Kessler – Saddlebrook
For individuals ages 18-30 years old who have experienced a traumatic or acquired brain injury
1st Floor Outpatient CRP Group Room
300 Market Street, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663
Contact: Janelle Biamonte, (201) 368-6181
Meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM
Meetings are being held in a hybrid format, alternating in-person and virtual meeting each month. Anyone interested can contact the support group leader for further information.
Burlington/Camden Group at Kessler Institute
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation – Marlton Campus
92 Brick Road
Marlton, NJ 08052
Contact: Liz Louie, 856-988-8778, ext. 2033
Meeting information will be posted here when dates are announced.
Burlington/Camden Group at Bancroft NeuroRehab
Resnick Center, 3900 Church Rd., Mt. Laurel, 08054
Contact: Maureen Perno, maureen.perno@bancroft.orgMeets the 3rd Tuesday of each month
Burlington/Camden Group at Kessler Institute
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation – Marlton Campus
92 Brick Road
Marlton, NJ 08052
Contact: Liz Louie, 856-988-8778, ext. 2033
Meeting information will be posted here when dates are announced.
Burlington/Camden Group at Bancroft NeuroRehab
Resnick Center, 3900 Church Rd., Mt. Laurel, 08054
Contact: Maureen Perno, maureen.perno@bancroft.org
Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month
Cumberland Group at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Vineland
1237 West Sherman Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360
Contact: Allison Frederick, Senior SLP, 856-896-2030, allison.frederick@encompasshealth.com
Meeting on the 1st Tuesday of each month, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm.
Essex Group at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052
Contact: Hana Villano and Julie Lipyanka essexbigroup@gmail.com
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00PM
This is a hybrid group that alternates between in-person meetings and Zoom meetings.
Hudson County Survivor Support Group
Contact: Grace Suttle, grace.suttle.94@gmail.com
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00PM EST. Meetings are being held virtually.
Please contact Grace Suttle at grace.suttle.94@gmail.com for more information and to register.
Mercer Group at St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Hospital
2381 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Contact: Leslie Urso, lurso@cambridgerehabhc.com
Meeting information will be posted when dates become available.
Adolescent & Parent Support Groups at Children’s Specialized Hospital, New Brunswick
BIANJ is seeking a brain injury professional to facilitate this group as a volunteer leader. Inquiries may be directed to the Support Group Coordinator at 732-745-0200.
Middlesex Group at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Center for Head Injuries
Hartwyck at Oak Tree, 2048 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ
Contact: Brianna Shreve, brianna.shreve@hmhn.org, 732-906-2640
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:00PM
All meetings are being conducted virtually via Zoom.
Monmouth Group at Dorbrook Park Recreation Area
353 County Route 537
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
Contact: Gabby VanMater – Gabrielle.Vanmater@encompasshealth.com
732-460-5389
Meets the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM
Follow signs for “Activity Center” towards, taking the first left after entering the park. The Activity Center is at the end of that road.
Morris Group at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation at Chester Campus
201 Pleasant Hill Road, Chester, NJ 07930
Contact: Andrea Ehmann, PT, DPT Phone Number: 973-584-7500 ext.6346 (Sharon Holman’s voicemail)
Meets the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
Ocean Group at Bancroft NeuroRehab
Bancroft Neurorehab
1433 Hooper Avenue, Suite 131
Toms River, NJ 08753
Contact: Carly Surmonte at carly.surmonte@bancroft.org or 732-475-4369
Meetings being held the last Thursday of each month from 7pm-8pm. These meetings are in person at this time and masks are mandatory.
To join, contact carly.surmonte@bancroft.org.
Passaic/Bergen Group at Rehabilitation Specialists
18-01 Pollitt Drive, Suite 1A, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Contacts: Contact: Jennifer Victoria-Proano by phone at (201) 478-4200, ext. 31 Allison Kronyak 201-478-4200, ext.22. Shatera Taylor 201-478-4200, ext.19
Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM
Wednesday, July 12 Meeting has been postponed to July 26
All meetings are being conducted virtually via Zoom.
Sussex County Support Group
Contact: Nikki Flynn
Phone: 973-600-9903
Email: nikki@myhomesafetherapy.com
Meetings are being conducted every 6 weeks. Please contact Nikki for the next meeting date, location, and time.
BIANJ is actively seeking brain injury professionals interested in volunteering to facilitate monthly support group meetings in the following counties: Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Salem and Sussex. Inquiries may be directed to the Support Group Coordinator at 732-745-0200.
Rutgers Health y BIANJ se complacen en ofrecer un nuevo grupo para sobrevivientes de lesiones cerebrales de habla hispana. Conozca a otros sobrevivientes y obtenga información sobre recursos que lo ayudarán a prosperar.
Todos los miércoles de 5 a 6 p. m. en ZOOM. Comienza el 18 de septiembre.
¡Regístrate ahora!
Let’s Get Social!
BIANJ social groups help individuals who have been affected by brain injury connect in a fun way to discuss shared interests and experiences. These groups focus on hobbies and leisure activities: Happy Hour Group, Brain Book Club, and Artful Minds Club. BIANJ knows that making friends and staying social helps people with brain injuries feel happier and live better.
A social group to share hobbies, interests and lighthearted conversation. Meets the 2nd Friday of each month at 4:00PM EST.
A music, movies, and TV discussion group. Meets the last Tuesday of the month at 4pm.
A books and podcasts discussion group. Meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 11:00AM EST.
For information about the current reading/topic, please contact Stacy Lyons at slyons@bianj.org
CAMP TREK (Together in Recreation, Exploration and Knowledge) is a week-long residential camp program. It provides a valuable experience for individuals with brain injury, offering socialization, recreation and fun. It also gives a week of respite for caregivers, who often give 24-hour care the remainder of the year.
Who can join: applicants must have a brain injury, be 18 years or older, and reside in New Jersey.
Cost to attend camp for the full week is $450.
For questions about Camp TREK, contact us at 732-745-0200, or info@bianj.org.
The Peer Mentor Program connects people who have experienced brain injury or caregivers with trained mentors who have been through similar challenges. The program fosters a supportive community where individuals can share experiences, gain insights, and find encouragement on their journey towards recovery and rebuilding their lives after a brain injury. Our team of Peer Mentors are volunteers who share their lived experience and wisdom to support a peer partner.
A peer mentor candidate is a survivor or caregiver who is at least 1 year out from initial injury, demonstrating resilience, and has strong interpersonal skills.
A peer partner candidate is a survivor or caregiver who recognizes their need for support, can understand the role and limitations of a mentor, and is ready to move forward in some ways.
If you would like to be considered as a Peer Mentor or to get matched with a Peer Mentor, please complete the interest form.
Support Coordination
To apply for DDD services, complete the Application for Determination of Eligibility.
To select BIANJ as your Support Coordination agency, please complete the Agency Selection Form.
Contact BIANJ Support Coordination Now! bianjsc@bianj.org
BIANJ is a Medicaid-approved Support Coordination agency for adults 21 and older who qualify for DDD services. Support Coordinators offer case management services, helping individuals and families find services and develop plans based on their individual needs.
BIANJ’s Support Coordination team is a group of professionals with different experiences that has built a diverse knowledge base. The team will monitor progress, visit regularly, and stay connected with families and caregivers.
Services are offered in Morris, Essex, Union, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, and Monmouth Counties.
To be eligible for DDD services, you must:
- Live in New Jersey
- Be Medicaid eligible
- Have a developmental disability that started before age 22
- Have a lifelong physical or intellectual disability that limits you in at least three areas like self-care, learning, moving, talking, making decisions, working, or living on your own.
“The Brain Injury Alliance of NJ has been nothing short of a godsend to my family. Their expertise, compassion, and advocacy have enabled my son to have a better life. Amber, my support coordinator, is attentive, empathetic, knowledgeable, and is always willing to listen. BIANJ gives me the opportunity to enjoy my son and my grandchildren. I am truly grateful.”