The Brain Injury Association of Maryland


Dear Friend of BIAM:



I am writing to you because the Brain Injury Association of Maryland needs
your support. I am saddened and frustrated to say that BIAM is in a major
financial crisis and facing the real threat of suspending some of its services
and possibly closing its doors.



You know better than most the value of BIAM - what we have done for
individuals with brain injury, their families and the professionals that work
with them. For an organization of one full-time, three part-time staff and
some very dedicated volunteers, we have accomplished much and have made a real
difference. Some of our recent accomplishments include:



a.. Legislation that mandates the Maryland Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory
Board which reports to the Governor;
b.. Collaboration with Maryland Disability Law Center to assist with
transition of psychiatric and nursing home patients with brain injury to the
community;
c.. Advocated to the Mental Hygiene Administration to modify the 2007 Home
and Community Medicaid Waiver for individuals with traumatic brain injury to
include more referral options and services;
d.. Successfully organized the largest brain injury education conference in
the State;
e.. Advocated to the Maryland Department of Disabilities to get the Governor
to dedicate $1 million in his 2007 budget that will support an employment
initiative for persons with brain injury through the Division of
Rehabilitation Services


We have also experienced a tremendous increase in the amount of calls, emails
and walk-in visits to our Resource Center and Help-line. In 2004 and 2005,
BIAM responded to 3,200 and 4,700 individuals respectively. Some of the
requests were quick and easy; most of them required extensive time, resources
and research because callers were in need of case management. For the last 9
months we have seen a substantial spike (23% increase) in the case management
calls and know that individuals with brain injury, families and professionals
are in greater need of resources, case management and more assistance from
BIAM. With our limited funds, we can not keep up with the demand and do all
the necessary fundraising to sustain the organization.



Please keep in mind that BIAM does not receive any governmental funding. All
of our funds come from membership dues, the annual conference, special events,
fundraising and donations!



I am asking you to make a generous contribution to BIAM. I have never come to
you with such urgency and need as I do today.



I will end this request on a positive note. For the last 10 months we have
taken new steps with our business practices and have made significant changes
in our Board, business operations and strategic plan. I do feel like the new
course will better position BIAM and strengthen our financial viability.



BIAM was there for you; please make a contribution today so that we can be
there for the next individual or family who needs our help and services.



Thank you for your support.



Diane



Diane D. Triplett

Executive Director



BIAM

2200 Kernan Drive * Baltimore, MD 21207

Tel.: (410)448-2924 * Fax: (410)448-3541 * Toll Free: 1-800-221-6443

Email: info@...

Website: www.biamd.org







----- End forwarded message -----

The Brain Injury Association of Maryland







Dear Friend of BIAM:



I am writing to you because the Brain Injury Association of Maryland needs your
support. I am saddened and frustrated to say that BIAM is in a major financial
crisis and facing the real threat of suspending some of its services and
possibly closing its doors.



You know better than most the value of BIAM - what we have done for individuals
with brain injury, their families and the professionals that work with them.
For an organization of one full-time, three part-time staff and some very
dedicated volunteers, we have accomplished much and have made a real difference.
Some of our recent accomplishments include:



a.. Legislation that mandates the Maryland Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory
Board which reports to the Governor;
b.. Collaboration with Maryland Disability Law Center to assist with
transition of psychiatric and nursing home patients with brain injury to the
community;
c.. Advocated to the Mental Hygiene Administration to modify the 2007 Home and
Community Medicaid Waiver for individuals with traumatic brain injury to include
more referral options and services;
d.. Successfully organized the largest brain injury education conference in
the State;
e.. Advocated to the Maryland Department of Disabilities to get the Governor
to dedicate $1 million in his 2007 budget that will support an employment
initiative for persons with brain injury through the Division of Rehabilitation
Services


We have also experienced a tremendous increase in the amount of calls, emails
and walk-in visits to our Resource Center and Help-line. In 2004 and 2005, BIAM
responded to 3,200 and 4,700 individuals respectively. Some of the requests
were quick and easy; most of them required extensive time, resources and
research because callers were in need of case management. For the last 9
months we have seen a substantial spike (23% increase) in the case management
calls and know that individuals with brain injury, families and professionals
are in greater need of resources, case management and more assistance from BIAM.
With our limited funds, we can not keep up with the demand and do all the
necessary fundraising to sustain the organization.



Please keep in mind that BIAM does not receive any governmental funding. All of
our funds come from membership dues, the annual conference, special events,
fundraising and donations!



I am asking you to make a generous contribution to BIAM. I have never come to
you with such urgency and need as I do today.



I will end this request on a positive note. For the last 10 months we have
taken new steps with our business practices and have made significant changes in
our Board, business operations and strategic plan. I do feel like the new
course will better position BIAM and strengthen our financial viability.



BIAM was there for you; please make a contribution today so that we can be there
for the next individual or family who needs our help and services.



Thank you for your support.



Diane



Diane D. Triplett

Executive Director



BIAM

2200 Kernan Drive * Baltimore, MD 21207

Tel.: (410)448-2924 * Fax: (410)448-3541 * Toll Free: 1-800-221-6443

Email: info@...

Website: www.biamd.org