History of NASHIA

  • 1990

    The first State of the States in Head Injury Meeting is held in New Orleans, Louisiana, one day prior to the National Head Injury Foundation’s annual symposium.

  • 1995

    NASHIA's Articles of Incorporation is filed in the state of Missouri on September 20, 1995.

  • 1996

    President Bill Clinton signs the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Act of 1996 into law.

  • 1997

    The US Department of Health and Human Services awards the first grants to states dedicated to capacity building and service delivery for individuals living with brain injury, as the result of the TBI Act.

  • 1999

    At the request of Congress, the NASHIA President, Augusta Cash, testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Public Health.

  • 2000

    NASHIA is awarded a five-year Partnership for Information and Communication (PIC) cooperative agreement from the US Department of Health and Human Services to develop products and resources related to brain injury.

  • 2001

    NASHIA hires the first Executive Director, Susan H. Connors, and establishes a presence in Washington, DC.



    The Katie Cash Award, honoring a NASHIA member whose tireless efforts directly and significantly contribute to the Association’s achievements and growth is established.

  • 2003

    NASHIA is awarded a contract by HHS Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to manage the technical assistance center for the federal TBI program.

  • 2005

    NASHIA co-sponsors the first annual legislative reception hosted by the Congressional TBI Task Force, held March 2005 on Capitol Hill.


    Ken Currier becomes NASHIA's second Executive Director.

  • 2008

    At the request of Congress, NASHIA President, Bill Ditto, testifies before the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.

  • 2010

    Lorraine Wargo becomes NASHIA's third Executive Director

  • 2012

    At the request of Congress, Bill Ditto, Chair of the Public Policy Committee testifies on behalf of NASHIA before the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health.

  • 2017

    NASHIA supports Inaugural TBI Stakeholder Day, hosted by HHS Administration on Community Living.

  • 2018

    Rebeccah Wolfkiel becomes NASHIA's fourth Executive Director.


    NASHIA launches its first national awareness campaign “United for Brain Injury.”


    NASHIA becomes a partner of the National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Administration for Community Living.


    NASHIA creates the William A. B. Ditto Excellence in Public Service Award to recognize a NASHIA member who has significantly impacted service delivery for individuals living with brain injury through public policy advocacy.

  • 2019

    NASHIA is awarded the technical assistance center for the Federal TBI program at ACL and announces the Susan Vaughn Legacy Scholarship program, to provide opportunities for individuals within the brain injury community to attend NASHIA's annual conference at no cost.

  • 2020

    President Trump signs the Supporting Older Americans Act into law, allowing states to use federal funding to pay for brain injury screenings for older adults who have sustained a fall. TBI is recognized for the first time in this Act.

  • 2021

    NASHIA’s first Leading Practices Academy begins, with a focus on Criminal and Juvenile Justice.

  • 2022

    Training U, NASHIA’s Professional Development Program is established.

  • 2023

    NASHIA launches OBISSS (Online Brain Injury Screening and Support System) to help with identification of brain injury and bolstering data state-wide and nationally.