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Brains at Risk Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to contact Brains At Risk?
The Brains At Risk Program Administrators are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. If the staff is not available, please do not leave a message.
Answers to frequently asked questions and additional program information can be found online at www.brainsatrisk.org. Please direct all emails to brainsatrisk@biama.org.
Faxes can be directed to 508-475-0039.
If you are a professional looking for information on the program, please contact Emily S. Ring, Manager of Prevention, at 508-475-0032 or at ering@biama.org.
How can I sign up for the Brains At Risk seminar?
Brains At Risk is a court-referral program for individuals ages 17 and older. Referrals must be made by the courts and/or other supervising agencies. Referral forms are available by download on webpage. Additional forms and information on the program can be emailed, faxed or mailed by request.
What is the goal of Brains At Risk?
Brains At Risk's primary objective is to reduce the number of repeat driving offenders through providing education and raising awareness about brain injury; thereby reducing the number of deaths and traumatic brain injuries caused by irresponsible driving.
I had an offense out of state; can Brains At Risk be used to fill a victim impact requirement?
Yes, Brains At Risk is an appropriate alternative to a traditional victim impact panel. Individuals from throughout the United States have attended this program to fulfill victim impact requirements. It is recommended that you ascertain approval from your supervising agency before you contact us to sign up for the seminar. When you are ready to sign up for the seminar, please call 508-475-0036 in between 9AM - 3PM, ask for the Program Administrators and indicate that you have had an out of state offense. Please advise that seminars are scheduled approximately 4 - 6 weeks in advance. Every effort is made to accommodate individual requests; however it is not always possible.
Who teaches Brains At Risk?
Brains At Risk is conducted by a trained Brains At Risk presenter. Presenters bring with them a variety of experience with brain injury, rehabilitation and/or prevention. Presenters can be police officers, brain injury professionals, nurses, therapists, et cetera. All Brains At Risk presenters share a passion for brain injury prevention and education.
My probation officer faxed my referral; how do I know where the seminar is held?
The Brains At Risk Program Administrators process all referrals and will send you a seminar letter with the time, date, and directions for your scheduled seminar.
If you have not received a seminar letter within two weeks of the referral being faxed, please immediately contact the Brains At Risk Program Administrators at 508-475-0036 in between 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. It is your responsibility to follow up to determine the date of your scheduled seminar. When and where is Brains At Risk conducted?
Brains At Risk has sites throughout Massachusetts, serving more than one hundred cities and towns. The Brains At Risk Program Administrators assign referred individuals to the next available seminar, closest to their home.
Brains At Risk is held during the day or evening hours Monday through Friday. Police stations, rehabilitation hospitals and non-profit organizations permit Brains At Risk to be conducted at their facility. Why did I get scheduled for a Brains At Risk site that is not in my town/city?
As previously mentioned, Brains At Risk has sites throughout Massachusetts, serving more than one hundred cities and towns. The Brains At Risk staff assign referred individuals to the next available seminar, closest to their home. Every effort is made to accommodate individual requests; however, it is not always possible.
I lost my license; how can I get to my program?
Brains At Risk understands that transportation can be an issue. However, all individuals are responsible to provide their own transportation and are expected to attend their scheduled seminar.
Brains At Risk has provided driving directions and instructions on public transportation available in your seminar letter. Please be advised that these directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, or other events may cause road conditions to differ from the directions provided.
I was scheduled for a Brains At Risk seminar that is not convenient for my schedule; can I change it?
As Brains At Risk is a court-ordered program, it is imperative you make every effort to attend your scheduled seminar. However if you can not appear at the scheduled seminar, you may request a postponement for a more convenient date. Accommodations will be considered up until one month before the scheduled date above, but are not guaranteed. Rescheduling within one month prior to the scheduled date above include a $50.00 fee.
What do I need to bring with me to the seminar?
Please be sure to bring the seminar letter, which advises you of the date, time, et cetera, a pen or pencil, and payment for the seminar.
Money orders are the only accepted form of payment and can be made out to BIA-MA (Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts). Cash, credit cards, & personal checks are NOT accepted. Individuals without proper payment will not be permitted to attend and must complete the rescheduling process, to include a $50.00 rescheduling fee. What can I expect at the Brains At Risk seminar?
Brains At Risk is an eye opening experience for attendees. The science-based curriculum combines video, graphics and group discussion to bring to life the consequences of drunk and irresponsible driving. The one session program includes:
I missed my scheduled seminar; how can I reschedule?
You and the agency supervising your completion of this program (Court, Probation Officer, etc) will receive a “Failure to Appear” notice in the mail within the next several days, which will include information on how to reschedule for another seminar.
The instructions are as follows: Individuals that do not attend their scheduled seminar are charged a rescheduling fee ($50.00). Please send all rescheduling fees to: Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts Att. Brains At Risk 30 Lyman Street Suite 10 Westborough, MA 01581 Your referral ID number must appear on the money order; please contact the Brains At Risk Program Administrators if you do not have your ID number. Upon receipt of the rescheduling fee, the Brains At Risk Program Administrators will place you in the next available seminar, closest to your home. What is the rescheduling process?
Individuals that do not attend their scheduled seminar are charged a rescheduling fee ($50.00). Please send all rescheduling fees to:
Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts
Brains At Risk 30 Lyman Street Suite 10 Westborough, MA 01581
Your referral ID number must appear on the money order; please contact the Brains At Risk Program Administrators if you do not have your ID number.
Upon receipt of the rescheduling fee, the Brains At Risk Program Administrators will place you in the next available seminar, closest to your home.
Will my probation officer (or other supervising agency) be notified that I missed the seminar?
Yes. Brains At Risk has a close relationship with courts throughout the Commonwealth. Probation Officers (or other supervising agency) will be notified of all individuals' success or failure to complete the seminar.
I have to work the day that I am scheduled for Brains At Risk; can I be late?
The Brains At Risk Program does not permit late arrivals to attend the program. The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts is committed to providing a professional education and awareness program for all individuals referred to the Brains At Risk seminar. In order to meet expectations set forth by BIA-MA, the Massachusetts courts and other referring agencies, we are unable to permit individuals that are late from attending the seminar. There are no exceptions.
How will my probation officer (or other supervising agency) know that I completed the seminar?
The Brains At Risk Program Administrators mail Certificates of Completion to all probation officers (or other supervising agency) within five business days of the scheduled seminar. Should you require a certificate before it is received by mail, please contact the Program Administrators with your probation officers (or other supervising agency) information, specifically their fax number, and the certificate can be faxed.
I need a copy of the Certificate of Completion; can Brains At Risk provide me with one?
No. Please contact your probation officer for a copy of the Certificate.
I lost my license; do I have to complete Brains At Risk to get my license back?
To determine if you must complete Brains At Risk before getting your license back, you must contact your probation officer (or other supervising agency). Brains At Risk does not have the authority to make such decisions or have the information available to advise you.
Is Brains At Risk conducted in other languages?
Yes. Brains At Risk is offered in Spanish in Salem & Worcester. For details, please in Spanish, please see www.brainsatriskespanol.org or contact the Program Administrators at (508) 475-0036 Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
Download a PDF copy of the Brains at Risk FAQs here. Back | |