The Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22 is celebrating another major statewide achievement as its BrainSTEPS Team has once again been awarded the prestigious BrainSTEPS Team Exceptional Performance Award for the 2025–2026 school year. The award recognizes Intermediate Unit BrainSTEPS teams across Pennsylvania that demonstrate outstanding commitment to supporting students who have experienced acquired brain injuries.
This year, only seven of Pennsylvania’s 29 Intermediate Unit BrainSTEPS teams earned the recognition, and the Bucks IU team is one of only three statewide to receive the honor every year since the award’s inception, placing the team among Pennsylvania’s top-performing BrainSTEPS programs.
Under the leadership of BrainSTEPS Team Leader Sarah Krusen, the Bucks IU team successfully met rigorous performance standards and demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting students, families, educators, and school communities throughout Bucks County.
“We are incredibly proud of the Bucks IU BrainSTEPS Team and their continued recognition at the state level,” said Dr. Mark Hoffman, Executive Director of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. “This award reflects the team’s commitment to supporting students and families navigating the challenges associated with acquired brain injuries. Their work exemplifies the collaborative, student-centered approach that is at the heart of the Bucks IU’s mission.”
State BrainSTEPS leadership commended the Bucks IU for its nearly two decades of ongoing commitment to the BrainSTEPS Program and for maintaining high standards of service and support for students with brain injuries throughout the region.
“The BrainSTEPS Team consistently demonstrates exceptional compassion, expertise, and dedication in helping students successfully transition and thrive in school following a brain injury,” said Dr. Gina Meissler, Program Director of Related Services for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. “Receiving this recognition for the third consecutive year speaks to the outstanding leadership of Sarah Krusen and the meaningful partnerships our team has built with schools and families throughout Bucks County.”
The BrainSTEPS Program provides consultation, training, and educational support for students recovering from acquired brain injuries, helping ensure successful transitions back into school and classroom settings. State officials noted that the Bucks IU’s BrainSTEPS consultation and training services “exemplify best practice and serve as a model for teams across the state.”
As the Bucks IU approaches two decades of participation in the BrainSTEPS Program, this continued statewide recognition highlights the organization’s enduring commitment ensuring students impacted by brain injuries receive the educational supports, advocacy, and resources needed to succeed both academically and personally.