These are just a few ideas that may help when creating your testimony.
The trust will pay for a variety of unmet needs that are barriers for individuals and families impacted by brain injury.

Brain Injury may be a long term disability that can happen to anyone at any age.

The injury and insult to the brain and body is just the beginning. The recovery is slow and requires specialized services; families are rarely prepared to address the changes in their love one and for the financial devastation that frequently occurs due to uncovered medical costs and loss of income or jobs.

Individuals are eager to get back to living their lives yet face significant changes in abilities learning how to adjust and adapt takes dedication and hard work that maybe abruptly disrupted due to lack of opportunity to receive supports needed to reach goals such as return to work, schooling and being part of family and community.

1.Opportunities to adjust, develop and explore new skills in a safe place With an array of supports that promote greater success at work and independence in the community.

2.Free standing case management services that provide needed support in the community.

3.Education training and certification for medical and professional staff in order to improve diagnosis and treatment.

4.Transitional and skill building vocational opportunities to promote more successful employment.

5.Access to free standing case management services so individuals can move more easily through the system and have continued support to succeed in the community.

6.Access to an array of housing options to address the variety of functional needs.

7.Prevention activities that provide information and interventions in areas known for having high risks that may result in brain injury. Falls for young children and elderly, violence, sports and motor vehicles.

8.According to the July 2006 report from the Veterans Administration office of the Inspector General, “brain injured veterans often fall through the cracks.

9.Education for individuals and families to promote better understanding of how brain injury may impact their lives.

10.Education for schools, employers and the community at large to facilitate better understanding of brain injury and how individuals with disabilities would like to be actively involved in life.

Please contact the Brain Injury Association of Maine if you have any questions.
1 800-275-1233

The Bill:

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§47-G is enacted to read:

47-G.
Human Services

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §3089-A is enacted to read:

§ 3089-A. Acquired Brain Injury Fund

There is established the Acquired Brain Injury Fund, an interest-bearing account, referred to in this section as "the fund." The fund receives money appropriated or allocated to the fund and any other money contributed voluntarily to the fund. The fund is administered by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. All money deposited in the fund and the earnings on that money remain in the fund and are subject to the following requirements.

1. MaineCare waiver. Up to 10% of the balance in the fund on July 1st each year may be used to provide state matching funds for a MaineCare waiver program for persons with brain injuries.

2. Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council. The fund may be used to pay the expenses of the Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council established under section 3089-B.

3. Services; other purposes. The remainder of the fund, after expenditures authorized under subsection 1, may be used to provide for vocational supportive services, community reintegration services and supported living services. The fund may also be used to support information and referral services, public and professional education and the prevention of brain injuries.

4. Administrative and personnel costs. Money in the fund may be used for the necessary administrative and personnel costs associated with the management of the fund.

5. Limitation. Money in the fund may not be deposited in the General Fund or any other fund except as specifically provided by law.

Sec. 3. 22 MRSA §3089-B is enacted to read:

§ 3089-B. Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council

There is established the Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council, referred to in this section as “the council,” to provide advice and make recommendations to the commissioner, the Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Director of the Office of MaineCare Services. The commissioner shall appoint 16 persons to serve as the members of the council. Members of the council must represent persons with acquired brain injuries, families of those persons and providers of services to persons with acquired brain injuries. Members of the council serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement of reasonable expenses for attending meetings of and serving on the council.

Sec. 4. Waiver application. By January 1, 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services shall apply to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a waiver under the MaineCare program to provide a program of services and supports for persons with acquired brain injuries.

Sec. 5. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Initiative: Provides funding for the Acquired Brain Injury Fund established under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 3089-A. 

This bill establishes the Acquired Brain Injury Fund and the Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council. This bill makes ongoing General Fund appropriations of $1,400,000 per year for the fund.