The Law Offices of Ian Mattoch belongs to the Federal TBI
Program Listserv TBISERV is moderated by the Federal TBI Program’s Technical Assistance Center. As attorneys and advocates for victims of catastrophic injuries, we feel it is imperitive to keep current on resources and issues for persons with traumatic brain injury.

In this issue of Federal TBI Program Listserv Digest- May 2012:

1. TBI Case Management Rates
Stefani O’Dea (MD) asks: Maryland needs to establish rate(s) for a Brain Injury case management service. Could any States that have established a case management service specifically for individuals with brain injury, either through a HCBS Waiver or Medicaid State plan, please share the case management rate, description, and rate methodology?

Michael Deegan (KS) writes:  Email: Michael.Deegan@srs.ks.gov
for a copy of the Kansas Medicaid State Plan that describes TBI Targeted Case Management, including information about rate methodology. The current rate is $42.40/hour.

Nicky Osborne (MA) writes:  Email <nicky.osborne@state.ma.us>
for the rates that Massachusetts has developed for its ABI waiver programs. I don’t know the methodology that was used but could find out a name to contact if you wish.

Karen Brown (VA) writes:  In Northern  Virginia, Brain Injury Services charges the rates used by our local Community Services Boards for individuals with psychiatric disabilities. We do not have a brain injury Medicaid waiver in Virginia but we use it for our reimbursement from our Virginia Wounded Warrior Program. We presently charge $326.50 per month of case management.

2. User friendly concussion assessment tools and compliance regimes
Nick Rushworth (Australia) asks:  As part of its funding agreement with the Australian Government, Brain Injury
Australia’s produces a policy paper annually on a mutually agreed topic.  2011-2012′s paper – due June 2012 – will examine the management of sports-related concussion in the light of national and international best practice. The research evidence suggests that awareness of, and compliance with, concussion assessment and management guidelines is poorer in “amateur” (and junior) sports. Brain Injury Australia would be very interested to hear about any examples from community (and school/ college) sports utilizing non-clinicians, volunteers, parents et al. of demonstrably
effective user-friendly concussion assessment tools and  compliance regimes for return-to-play etc.

Cheryl Burda (MI) writes: Michigan NeuroSport and
the Pediatric Trauma Program at Mott Children’s Hospital has developed three free online education modules: Youth Coach – High School Coach – Parents (just released).  Each user specific module is 20-minutes or less, and features an interactive format for adult learners. The modules also feature several downloadable tools (fact sheet, pledge form, BRAIN protocol, report to parent).  Upon completion of the module users are directed to take a 10-question quiz (randomly selected from the test bank) and must receive and 80% or better to pass the course. Once the user  receives a “pass” they are able to print a certificate of completion.
**The American Academy of Neurology endorsed these educational modules in September 2011.**   Modules can accessed at: www.MichiganNeuroSport.com – you will need to create a user ID and password.  Plans are underway to develop a Student Athlete version expected to be released by Fall 2012.

Rebecca Desrocher (Assistant Director, Federal TBI Program) writes: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a host of materials intended to be used by parents, athletes, and coaches.  For example, one of the resources for coaches is a “clipboard” fact sheet listing signs of TBI they may observe, and symptoms the athlete may report that should prompt removal from the field.  See http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/youth.html
for more information and for free downloads of the materials.

Janet Gibbs (UT) writes: You might wish to look at
PAR’s i-phone app called concussion recognition & response: coach and parent version. Very easy to use and relatively inexpensive, I think between 3-4 dollars. You can access it at the Apple App Store and Android Market.

Maria Crowley (AL) writes: Feel free to use Alabama’s
TBI and DV toolkit. I can send you the materials via DVD.We have had success with it. (Maria.Crowley@rehab.alabama.gov)

Annette Wegner (MD) writes: I am just wondering if you are focusing on the individuals with TBI solely as the victims of DV or if you have considered that the lack of resources/supports in some areas result in DV and the identified individual inappropriately landing in the criminal justice system. This is an increasing problem for many working in criminal justice. Attempting to mitigate this is one thing but actually matching services by the time the criminal justice system becomes involved is truly a barrier. Have you found that to be a problem in your State?

Judith Avner (NY) writes: The Brain Injury Association of New York State has collaborated with the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and the NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence for a number of years. We have developed materials and presented cross-training for dv providers on recognizing brain injury and strategies for supporting victims of dv with brain injury, and for brain injury providers about recognizing dv. The handouts are available at www.bianys.org.
I can share the slides with anyone interested. In addition, working with the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence we developed a special collection bibliography, available at http://www.vawnet.org/category/index_pages.php?category_id=1075

Susan Wagner (ND) writes:  ND is working with some of the domestic violence/sexual assault agencies to implement the Ohio State University TBI Identification Method Short Form. We have developed a resource directory for the advocates to use as well and continue to provide consultation, training, and assistance with implementation of the screening tool and related work. Please feel free to contact me for additional information…shwagner@nd.gov or 701.328.8941.

Amy Flaherty (PA) writes: Pennsylvania recently modified the Alabama HELPS screening tool for use in Pennsylvania
domestic violence shelters and with medical advocacy staff. Feel free to contact me for additional information.  aflaherty@pa.gov

Kaylynn Shepherd (WV) writes: A few options that may at
least set the ground work: CDC and Victimization of Persons with TBI (as there are references listed at the end of that Fact Sheet for Professionals).   We asked a similar question to John Corrigan who offered this information to us: Breaking the Silence: Violence as a Cause and a Consequence of TBI, Brain Injury Prof. Vol. 5 Issue 1 2008, pages 8-12 and in an additional TBI BI Prof. Vol. 3, 2006 pages 28-32, Health concerns of women with BI (included the topic of victimization).

Larry Lewack (VT) writes: I have an excellent slide presentation from Mary R. Hibbard, Ph.D., Professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine on this topic. Email me at  rfchittenden@biavt.org if you’d like me to send you a copy. Or contact Dr. Hibbard directly to get the latest & greatest version.

4. Request from Montana:
Placement for individual Cecelia Cowie (MT) asks: We have a individual in who has been on our waiver and discharged from most services in the state, denied for Lewistown Nursing Facility for Individuals with Mental Illness and State Hospital
for Individuals with Mental Illness. He has a serious TBI and alcoholism. His aging parents sent him out of state to live with relatives and he lived in a group home but was discharged for disappearing for days at a time, alcohol use and he left when the temps were -20 and got serious frostbite. The relatives sent him back to Montana and the parents are back to square one. APS and dad are co-guardian and at their wit’s end. Before he left – he got drunk and jumped out of second story window. He is a serious threat to himself and his parents are in their 80s.  They want a locked residential unit for him. This may be a case where we have to look at out of state facilities – do you have any contacts or suggestions?  Any resources and suggestions you could offer would be very much appreciated. ccowie@mt.gov

TBISERV  is the listserv for the Federal TBI Program. TBISERV is moderated by the Federal TBI Program’s Technical Assistance Center.  To search the TBISERV archives, visit https://list.nih.gov/archives/tbiserv.html