posted April 28, 2011
The Federal Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program awarded Tennessee?s Project BRAIN its "Impacting Systems Change Award? at an annual meeting held in Bethesda, Md.
The Federal TBI Program recognized the Tennessee Department of Health / Traumatic Brain Injury Program and the Tennessee Disability Coalition for their work in establishing a partnership with a shared goal of improving educational outcomes for Tennessee students who have sustained a brain injury. They congratulated Tennessee and Project BRAIN for making a difference in successfully implementing a transition component supporting children and youth who are identified with a TBI from the hospital, return to school and into the lives with their families.
Project BRAIN (Brain Resource and Information Network) is a resource and training network for educators, families, and health care professionals who support students in Tennessee with traumatic brain injury.
"Project BRAIN has come to signify not only excellence in training, but thoughtful recognition of the needs of student and family along the continuum of care," Jean Doster, director, Tennessee Traumatic Brain Injury Program, said.
Project BRAIN offers lasting resources to lighten the load on families and at the same time raises awareness of TBI. Partnering with prominent Children?s Hospitals across Tennessee, a ?Signs & Symptoms? tool is being incorporated into the hospital discharge process. Project BRAIN has implemented a first of its kind Brain Injury Transition Liaison program. A liaison is a person who can be there for the family when a student has a diagnosis of TBI and particularly once they leave the hospital. As an effective communication link, the liaison serves as a resource bridge between hospital personnel, school personnel and families.
Paula Denslow, Tennessee Disability Coalition, Project BRAIN director, said, ?Within a hospital environment, a Brain Injury Transition Liaison provides resources and education to families of children who have a TBI. Understanding that a TBI may have long term effects, knowing about available resources is key ? accessing them when necessary is critical, a liaison connects these dots for families.?
?You've all done outstanding work: the individuals with brain injury and families are better because of your commitment and perseverance on their behalf?, said Sandy Knutson, principal research analyst, TBI Technical Resource Center, University of Chicago.
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