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Washington Protection & Advocacy System Pursuing justice on behalf of people with disabilities on matters related to their human, legal, and civil rights. Promoting Dignity, Equality and Self-Determination.
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WPAS Serves People with Traumatic Brain Injuriesby Gillian Maguire September 23, 2003 In the fall of 2002, under a three-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), WPAS and 27 other protection and advocacy systems started new projects to serve people with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). Since that time, Congress created a mandate and an accompanying small stream of funding for all Protection and Advocacy systems to serve people with TBI. The two goals of the WPAS TBI project are, 1) to move Washington toward a statewide system that will assure and enhance access to comprehensive services for individuals with disabilities and their families; and 2) to make sure Protection & Advocacy services are delivered appropriately for individuals with TBI and their families. Surveys clearly demonstrate that there is a shortage of appropriate and/or quality services for people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and people with TBI and their families don't know how to get those services that are available. In particular, people with TBI do not have adequate access to free, appropriate public education, independent living and housing support, health insurance, employment, and legal services. WPAS is addressing these problems through a coordinated advocacy and outreach strategy. During the first year of our TBI project, WPAS has expanded and deepened our connections with the Brain Injury Association of Washington, the State TBI Advisory Board (TBI-AB), and the TBI Advocacy and Mentoring Program. WPAS has drawn together family members and people with TBIs and other interested community members to attend meetings of our TBI Ad Hoc Advisory Committee. Even in its infancy, this committee has provided WPAS with strong guidance regarding needed policy changes - including the need for Washington to apply for a TBI Medicaid Waiver. One person who has a TBI has joined the WPAS Mental Health Advisory Council. We have done extensive outreach to the special education advocacy community in Washington to inform them of this project and to seek referrals of cases, and have provided information and referral, short-term advocacy and legal advocacy services to 33 clients who have a TBI. WPAS staff have educated legislators and policy makers about independent living, healthcare, community-based services, mental health parity and the need for an independent mental health ombuds. In concert with policy coalitions, funding was preserved for Ticket to Work Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities, and incentives were created for employment providers to create more integrated employment settings. Our public policy staff are facing significant barriers in exploring the creation of a Housing Trust Fund or a TBI Medicaid Waiver – Washington’s budget has been slashed, and the political climate for Medicaid waivers is negative. WPAS staff is collaborating with the TBI Advisory Board on the development of an information packet about TBI and resources to be distributed to people who are newly diagnosed with TBI. During its two meetings, the Ad Hoc TBI Advisory Committee will guide us on selecting a second legal advocacy priority, and evaluate our progress on this project so far. During year two we will increase our outreach to brain injury, special education, and migrant health groups, and consequently we will increase the number of people who receive advocacy services from the WPAS TBI project. Anyone interested in more information about the WPAS TBI project should contact:
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