A Joint Project of:
BrainSTEPS CO was created in 2016 and is implemented by the Department of Education with funding from MINDSOURCE Brain Injury Network within the Colorado Department of Human Services.



Welcome To BrainSTEPS CO

Explore what BrainSTEPS CO has to offer

Click Here to Make A Student Referral to BrainSTEPS CO









Join BrainSTEPS CO!

Colorado’s BrainSTEPS CO is accepting NEW TEAMS and NEW TEAM MEMBERS. To participate in this nationally recognized professional development opportunity:

  • Districts/BOCES identify a team of 4-6* or more professionals who are interested and have the flexibility to serve as BrainSTEPS CO team members (BrainSTEPS CO Best Practices). *4-6 person teams are recommended. Exceptions may be made based on district/BOCES needs.
  • Each BrainSTEPS CO team member submits a BrainSTEPS CO application.
  • Those accepted to the BrainSTEPS CO program attend the fall, two-day new team member training.
  • District/BOCES identify one person who will oversee their BrainSTEPS CO team as the team leader (this person must be identified on the application packet prior to the training.)
  • All BrainSTEPS CO team members must also attend the follow up capacity building training (each Spring).
Download BrainSTEPS Application HERE

About BrainSTEPS CO

BrainSTEPS logo small

Colorado’s BrainSTEPS CO (Strategies Teaching Educators, Parents, and Students) Brain Injury School Re-Entry Consulting Program was modeled after Pennsylvania’s BrainSTEPS program which began assisting school districts in 2007 and is considered a national model for brain injury educational consulting.

As a result of acquired brain injury many students return to school with lingering effects that impact classroom performance. BrainSTEPS CO has been designed to consult with school teams and families in the development and delivery of educational services for students who have experienced an acquired brain injury.

Acquired brain injuries include any injury to the brain that is sustained after a period of development and encompasses the following:

Traumatic brain injuries (injury caused by an external force), including concussions, and
Non-traumatic brain injuries (e.g., strokes, brain tumors, brain infections, and anoxia).

BrainSTEPS CO works to not only re-enter students following brain injury, but with students previously identified as having a brain injury who may begin to develop educational effects over the years as the brain develops and matures.

BrainSTEPS CO teams:
  • Consult with schools regarding identification, school re-entry planning, IEP/504 Plan development, intervention selection and implementation, long-term monitoring of students and other issues professionals face in supporting students with brain injury.
  • Provide consultation to parents of any student with brain injury referred to the team and ongoing communication regarding services the team is providing for student.
  • Monitor students annually until graduation for manifestation of new cognitive/behavioral/social issues.
  • Disseminate brain injury resource information (e.g., written information, links to websites, referrals to community resources, etc.) to educators, families, and community providers working with students with BI.
  • Provide training on the educational implications of brain injury to educators as well as groups in their local community (e.g., parent, medical, rehabilitation).

To make a student referral to the BrainSTEPS CO Program, click on "Make a Referral to BrainSTEPS CO Colorado" link at the top of the page.

Toni Grishman
BrainSTEPS CO Program Coordinator
[email protected]

Jody Dickerson
BrainSTEPS CO Program Coordinator
[email protected]




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Resources

Update Training

April 2024 BrainSTEPS Team Leader Training - Jen Gallegos Dropout Prevention Specialist at CDE discuss The Art of Leadership: From Core Principals to Effective Team Management.

February 2024 BrainSTEPS Update Training - Krista Klabo School Psychology and Specials Education Evaluation Specialist at CDE presents on Trauma Informed Practices in Schools.

February 2024 BrainSTEPS Update Training - Lisa Cannon, Educational Audiologist and Shani O'Brien, Speech-Language Specialist, present on Auditory Processing and the Brain

February 2024 BrainSTEPS Update Training - Melissa Peterson, Data Privacy Manager at CDE speaks about FERPA / HIPAA concerns.

April 2023 BrainSTEPS Team Leader Training - Dr. Sarah Burgamy, Psy.D Navigating Genderland: Moving Beyond the Binary and Into a More Inclusive Space for All AND Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard What to look for and what to do: Evidence-based Assessment and Management of Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Youth After Concussion

February 2023 BrainSTEPS Update Training with Yasmine Botto Ph.D. an Overview of Neurocognitive and Educational Implications of Stroke and the Effects of Chemotherapy on Cognition and Achievement AND Heather Hotchkiss presenting on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Impacts and Implications

February2022 BrainSTEPS Update Training with Dr. Lyn Turkstra, PhD, Reg-CASLPO presentation

Using Teen Online Problem Solving to Support Adolescents and Families after Brain Injury - Shari Wade, PhD.

Students with ABI: Filling Your Toolbox with Interventions and Strategies for Success - Sharon Grandinette, MS, Ed, CBIST

Strategies for Life: Promoting Higher-Order Cognitive Skills for Students with TBI across Contexts - Parts 1-4. Lori Cook, PhD, CCC-SLP Criminal Justice: What Do Those People Do, Anyway? - Part 5. Russha Knauer, MA

BrainSTEPS Role in Concussion

Protracted Recovery from Concussion - the Role of the BrainSTEPS Team. Dr. Karen McAvoy

Concussion Resources

Brain Injury Awareness Webinar - March 2023 - Toni Grishman, BSN, RN presents So You think You Have a Plan. Best practice on how to support a student with a concussion in the school building.

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