Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council 2009 Report

PRIORITIES and RECOMMENDATIONS for 2010

Priorities focus on specific steps that can be taken within existing resources or where investment now will have a positive impact on the budget in the future.

1– PREVENT BRAIN INJURIES

The Legislature and Governor should establish in law a concussion management standard for all student athletes based upon the most current medical knowledge.

2 – PROVIDE CARE COORDINATION FOR PERSONS WITH BRAIN INJURIES

Provide care coordination /case management under MaineCare regulations by removing the discriminatory exclusion of adults with a diagnosis of brain injury.  DHHS should seek alternative approaches to the existing Targeted Case Management services when designing services for adults with brain injuries in order to provide effective care coordination and remain budget neutral.

3 – TRAIN PROFESSIONALS AND DIRECT CARE WORKERS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES

Establish in regulation, minimum staff training standards for all healthcare, rehabilitation, and long-term care residential programs that serve individuals with brain injuries.  DHHS should adapt existing training programs to include specific modules on brain injury and offer information and technical assistance to other state departments in their training efforts.

4 – RESPOND TO PERSONS WITH COMPLEX NEEDS DUE TO BRAIN INJURIES

DHHS should establish community living services with less than 24/7 supports that allow individuals to live in their own home with adequate support to maintain health and safety within current budget levels.

5 – IMPROVE OUTCOMES THROUGH IDENTIFICATION OF BRAIN INJURIES

Require screening for brain injury upon admission to any healthcare, long-term care or rehabilitation program funded by DHHS. DHHS contracts should require the use of consistent, standardized screening protocols to insure that all individuals with brain injuries are identified and their needs are adequately addressed in their plan of treatment and care.

6 – IMPROVE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH BRAIN INJURIES

Require that the annual health screening of all children and youth in schools include a standardized set of questions to identify possible brain injury.  The Legislature should mandate the LD866 statewide study group led by Department of Education, educators, pediatricians, and DHHS to evaluate the steps needed to better identify, educate and coordinate services for students in special education with brain injuries.

7 – SUPPORT FAMILIES WHO CARE FOR PERSONS WITH BRAIN INJURIES

DHHS should establish a study group to evaluate options for addressing family issues. 

8 – SUPPORT SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS WITH BRAIN INJURIES

Insure that the Maine National Guard can continue the screening and follow-up program for brain injuries when grant funding ends in 2010.  Mandate DHHS to enhance ongoing collaborative efforts between State agencies, Veterans Administration, veterans groups, and community-based brain injury providers to improve coordination, care and support for Maine’s veterans.

9 – IMPROVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH BRAIN INJURIES

Department of Labor and Department of Health and Human Services should establish a joint task force to better coordinate vocational rehabilitation and long term job supports.

10 – PROVIDE ACCESS TO NEUROREHABILITATION SERVICES IN RURAL MAINE

DHHS should establish a broad-based study to evaluate the needs, barriers, and benefits of providing ongoing neurorehabilitation in rural areas of the state.