Protection and Advocacy for People with Traumatic Brain Injuries (PATBI)
The Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has given funding to the state P&A Systems to provide protection and advocacy services to people with traumatic brain injuries (PATBI). The purpose of the PATBI is to ensure that people with TBI, who have historically been underserved by the P&A system, have sufficient advocacy and educational services dedicated to them.
- Provide advice, technical assistance, advocacy and representation to people with TBI (as resources allow) under the same priorities as the program for which the person is eligible (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR), including in the area of community integration, but who, because of their disability of TBI, can be served under this federal funding source instead.
- Provide education and training to people with TBI and their family members about their legal rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Ticket to Work, special education and guardianship.
- Provide outreach to people with TBI, their family members and service providers to better assess and understand the legal and advocacy needs of people with TBI, including through the establishment of the TBI advisory group.
- Provide information and referral services to people with TBI and their families.
- Coordinate with other TBI stakeholders, including quarterly meetings of the TBI Advisory Council comprised of consumers, advocates and service providers.
- Identify potential TBI-related public policy reform initiatives, strategies to achieve systemic changes, and costs of pursuing such initiatives.
- Explore opportunities to serve veterans with TBI in light of their increasing need for disability related services.
