Nation Watch—Advocacy
State agencies launch initiative to help people with brain injuries
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Six state agencies have begun an initiative to help West Virginians who have traumatic brain injury.
The Department of Health and Human Resources, the Division of Rehabilitation Services, the Workers' Compensation Commission, the Public Employees Insurance Agency, the Division of Motor Vehicles and the TBI/SCI Rehabilitation Fund Board are participating in the effort.
About 400 West Virginians die each year from traumatic brain injury while another 550 become disabled, the agencies said.
The agencies said Wednesday they have approved a memorandum of understanding that will allow them to share resources and responsibilities. The agreement also will serve as a foundation for state government to provide behavioral health and support programs and services to residents with traumatic brain injury.
"The critical first step of the partner group will be to use the general public's knowledge to identify the necessary services to make available under the traumatic brain injury program,'' the agencies said in a news release.
Reprinted with permission. © 2004 The Charleston Gazette.