The Center for Education and Human Services in Acquired Brain Injury (CEHSABI) was begun in June, 2001 when the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at The George Washington University was granted a three-year charter by the University. The mission of the Center is research integrated with development of university and college curriculum and programs for education of professionals in education and human service fields to serve people with brain injuries. Our research focus is primarily applied research about professional practices and standards that will contribute to the quality of life of people with brain injuries and their families. We also collaborate with community organizations and other universities to develop outreach programs to serve individuals with brain injuries and families.

Future plans of the Center include developing additional, expanded professional preparation as "emphasis areas" in brain injury for other departments within the university, and establishing partnerships with other universities throughout the country for distance learning.

Our Work

According to the Centers for Disease Control and the Brain Injury Association of America, every 21 seconds someone in the United States sustains a brain injury. An estimated 5.3 million Americans currently live with disabilities resulting from brain injury. Over 30,000 children and youth suffer brain injuries each year with major causes being falls, abuse, pedestrian accidents, and sports injuries. The age group most frequently injured are those between 15 and 24 years of age with the major cause for this group being motor vehicle accidents.

Although there are many excellent medical and rehabilitation programs in the country, most professionals in community-based education and human service fields (such as teaching, social work, case management, home health aids, and related fields) have had little or no training in the effects of brain injury or how to assist people recovering from a brain injury. As a result, people may receive inadequate support that leads to a life of unemployment, frustration, dependency, depression, and even institutionalization. For more information about brain injury and its effects, check out The Brain section of our site.

Our Funding

Initial funding for the development of the GW Center was provided by the Jason Foundation in Radford, Virginia. The Jason Foundation was established by Greg and Fran Rooker in memory of their son, Jason , who died at age 11 after sustaining a brain injury from an accident in their front yard. In addition, 1.5 million dollars was awarded from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs, for a five-year professional preparation program of graduate level education in Transition Special Education and Acquired Brain Injury. The grants will support professional preparation programs within the GW Department of Teacher Preparation and Special Education as well as research and development of specialized projects and publications. The focus of the Center's research will be to study the impact of brain injury on children, youth, adults, and families with implications for providing and improving education and human services.