www.COGENTadvocate.com

NATIONWIDE RESOURCES

Brain Injury Association (BIA) National Office The mission of the national Brain Injury Association is to create a better future through brain injury prevention, research, education and advocacy. The BIA trains support group facilitators, advocates for appropriate legislation through the national and state organizations, facilitates education programs, and provides information to individuals living with traumatic brain injury, their families and loved ones, and the greater community. Brain Injury Association, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 611, McLean, VA, 22102.    703.761.0750     Family Helpline: 800.444.6443

Federal Disability Programs A valuable resource from BIAUSA provides downloads covering important topics from an over of the federal government and the ADA, to The Fair Housing Act,and Assistive Technology.

Reading material that is above one’s level of understanding leads to a higher level of understanding.  BILL DUNNING 1990

National Association of State Head Injury Administrators NASHIA assists the state government in promoting partnerships and building systems to meet the needs of individuals with brain injury and their families. 4330 East West Highway, Suite 301, Bethesda, MD 20814    (301) 656-3500

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke research page lends ease to finding TBI research projects and clinical trials. Whether or not you would qualify for one of the research projects along your educational continuum or your family member living with TBI could be entered in a clinical trial, these entries could be informative. Information is power. National Stroke Association page.

NINDS Traumatic Brain Injury Information Page describes TBI and provides links to organizations connected to various components of a life lived with brain injury, and resources for professionals, students and inventors.

The site calls people with disabilites as Consumers - a pet peeve surface now, as I must ask what do we consume? If I wear out my old leather work gloves - have I consumed them? Am I not more of a “producer” when I use those old gloves to improve or create items? When I talk to an Administrator or Legislator do we each consume or time, or do we use our time? Anyway, there is a link to the “Consumer” page, a wonderful resource for connecting with others, and for seniors to try out devices, and guidance for high school and college instructors who teach people with disabilities, and for those interested in purchasing assistive items.

Social Security Administration is the federal agency many survivors of traumatic brain injury need to contact after six months, or once the severity of the injury has been determined. SSA provides financial services for social security retirement, disability and supplemental security income (SSI). Even some very young adults have worked enough to qualify for Social Security Disability.

Call the toll free number to find your local office. Initial application paperwork needs to be filed in person by the individual living with TBI (if they remain competent to see to their own needs), or by their guardian, at the local office. 800.772.1213

CALL THEM IMMEDIATELY AND INQUIRE ABOUT DISABILTITY, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND SSI FUNDING. Often this is a lengthy process. Assistance from a lawyer (specializing in Social Security) may be necessary.

Home Modification sites

Center for Universal Design The nation’s leading authority on accessible design offers useful publications for download. 800.647.6777

Infinitec The (tbi) home modification section of this user-friendly site features helpful product references. 708-444-8460

HomeMods National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification Includes an information-rich “Frequently Asked Questions” page. State-by-state resource directory. 213.740.1364

COGENT Advocate State Statutes & Regulations & Resources - by State. Each state funnels resources in their state through different levels of state and county governments. Some states have TBI Model Systems to draw from.

Others, like Kentucky, have developed comprehensive life-planning systems that may carry an individual with TBI through their life-span, in appropriate housing and social circumstances.

Massachusetts, and other states, recognize the critical need for family involvement in all aspects of those living with TBI.

Maine is the home of the 2010 Brain Injury in Maine Needs Assessment, that is a valuable resource document for information for the loved ones of those living with TBI, no matter which state the individual resides in.

North Carolina NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and  Substance Abuse is the state agency (MH/DD/SAS) that has wide ranging plans to service the population of individuals who have sustained a brain injury. MH/DD/SAS provides an online course of instruction about the facts and implications of traumatic brain injury. It is a valuable resource for all state populations.

Oklahoma Department of Health Services provides an online survey to identify which services the individual with brain injury qualifies for - a great simplification of this all-too-often confusing and time-consuming task.