From left: Dede Norongolo, BIASC Board Member; Joyce Davis, BIASC Executive Director; and Larry Lucas, BIASC Board President, at the Brain Injury Association of America's 2026 Affiliate Leadership Conference.
The Brain Injury Association of South Carolina (BIASC) was recognized for its advocacy efforts at the Brain Injury Association of America's Affiliate Leadership Conference on September 30, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The 2026 Award of Excellence for Advocacy recognizes years of work to increase awareness of brain injury and strengthen state funding for programs and services that help South Carolinians navigate life after brain injury.
It's also a recognition we share with the survivors, caregivers, families, professionals, and supporters who have helped make their voices heard.
Years of Advocacy, Meaningful Progress
BIASC began pursuing state legislative appropriations in February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. That work led to its first state appropriation of $100,000 for fiscal year 2022.
Funding increased in subsequent years, but progress wasn't always steady. BIASC received no state appropriation for FY26, when the General Assembly did not provide earmarked funding outside state agencies.
Throughout these challenges, BIASC continued meeting with legislators, raising awareness of the needs of brain injury survivors and their families, and encouraging South Carolinians to participate in the legislative process.
Those efforts included direct outreach to lawmakers, advocacy emails and social media campaigns, conversations with support groups, and the addition of a part-time legislative liaison to strengthen BIASC's advocacy work.
A Significant Step Forward in 2026
On September 1, 2026, Gov. Henry McMaster signed Supplemental H. 3035, approving $500,000 in state funding for BIASC's FY27 Community Engagement Project: Brain Injury Outreach and Education.
Requested by Rep. Sylleste Davis, the appropriation will help fund education and training, community outreach, helpline services, resource facilitation, peer mentorship, and efforts to address gaps in services for individuals and caregivers affected by brain injury.
For survivors and families, access to information and assistance can be especially important after hospitalization or rehabilitation, when they may be navigating unfamiliar services, long-term needs, and changes in everyday life.
This funding will help BIASC continue connecting South Carolinians with the information, programs, and assistance they need.
Thank You for Making Your Voices Heard
This recognition belongs to more than one organization or individual.
To everyone who contacted a legislator, shared an advocacy message, spoke about their experiences, or helped others understand the importance of brain injury services: Thank you.
Your participation helped bring attention to the needs of survivors and families across South Carolina.
We are also grateful to Rep. Sylleste Davis for requesting the FY27 appropriation, to members of the South Carolina General Assembly and Gov. McMaster for their roles in approving the funding, and to the Brain Injury Association of America for recognizing BIASC's advocacy work.
While we celebrate this milestone, our work continues. BIASC remains committed to helping policymakers understand the long-term needs of South Carolinians affected by brain injury and the importance of accessible services throughout the state.