Traumatic Brain Injury Program
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program was established by the Tennessee General Assembly to address the needs of those individuals who have sustained a brain injury, as well as their family members and primary caregivers.
Traumatic brain injury, also known as TBI, is defined as an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force resulting in total or partial disability or impairment. TBI frequently results from motor vehicle crashes or from falls when the head abruptly stops moving and the brain smashes into the hard walls of the skull.
Many people with TBI do not “look” injured. Because the injured brain is not visible to the naked eye, problems with memory, planning and organizational abilities, and/or judgment often appear in subtle ways. In some cases, even a minor bump on the head can cause ongoing problems and lead to losing a job or problems with family life.
Depending on what area of the brain is injured, people with brain injuries may suffer from poor short-term memory and difficulty with organization, concentration, and judgment. They may experience headaches, seizures, and decreased muscular strength and coordination.
Traumatic Brain Injury Program staff are available to respond to questions, make referrals, and provide education and training. The initial contact can be the first link in a chain of support for a survivor or family member.
TBI Program Services Information Clearinghouse
The TBI Program is the central office for brain injury information in the state. Numerous materials including articles, books, videos, and pamphlets are available to survivors, family members and professionals. A comprehensive resource directory, The Traumatic Brain Injury Services Directory and Resource Guide is distributed statewide. A toll-free number (1-800-882-0611) is available to give immediate information regarding traumatic brain injury to individuals all across Tennessee.
The Facts
- In the US, an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI each year.
- In Tennessee, about 7,500 people a year are admitted to the hospital for traumatic brain injury.
- Concussion is the most common type of brain injury. A person does not have to lose consciousness to have a concussion.
- Traumatic brain injury is sometimes also called “closed head injury“, “concussion” or “mild TBI”.
- Males are twice as likely as females to sustain a TBI.
- In Tennessee, the three leading causes of TBI are falls, motor vehicle accidents and homicide or violent injuries.
- Using a seatbelt and wearing a helmet are the best ways to prevent a TBI.
Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council
The TBI Advisory Council was organized in accordance with the legislation to provide advice and guidance to the TBI program staff. The nine-member Council is appointed by the Governor and includes representatives from the Departments of Education, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services/ Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Human Services. An additional member is a health care professional that provides direct care to persons with TBI. Five members represent the category of TBI survivor, family member or primary care giver. The Council was organized in 1994 and has met quarterly since that time.
The 2018-2019 TBI Advisory Council is comprised of the following members:
Council member |
Category of representation |
Pam Bryan |
Survivor, Family member, Primary care giver |
Amy Boulware |
Survivor, Family member, Primary care giver |
Avis Easley |
Departments of Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities |
Alicia Fitts |
Survivor, Family member, Primary care giver |
Alison Gauld |
Department of Education |
Mark Heydt, Chair |
Health Care Professional |
Joanne Morris |
Department of Human Services |
Brian Potter |
Survivor, Family member, Primary care giver |
Michelle Stanton |
Survivor, Family member, Primary care giver |
For information on Council meetings go to: https://tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/vipp/tbi/tbi-schedule
Service Coordination
There are currently eight Service Coordinators located in various non-profit agencies across the state providing assistance to survivors and family members. The service coordinator’s role is to work with survivors and their families to assess their current resources and needs. The service coordinator:
- develops a comprehensive plan of care
- provides referrals to available resources
- coordinates services for individual client advocacy
- bridges gaps in the service delivery system.
The goal of the service coordination project is to improve the quality of life for persons with a brain injury and their family members. The service coordinator will assist with “filling in the gaps.” Services are provided free of charge.
Brain injury support groups have been established in many locations across the state.
Traumatic Brain Injury Family Support Program
The TBI Family Support program is funded by state dollars and designed to assist individuals with disability due to TBI and their families to remain together in their homes and communities.
The primary purpose of the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Targeted Family Support Program is to support:
- Families with children with a disability due to a traumatic brain injury, school age and younger;
- Adults with a disability due to a traumatic brain injury who choose to live with their families; and
- Adults with a disability due to a traumatic brain injury who are residing in the community in an unsupported setting (not a state or federally funded program).
Services can include but are not limited to: respite care, day care services, home modifications, equipment, supplies, personal assistance, transportation, homemaker services, housing costs, health-related needs, nursing and counseling.
For more information click here for TBI Family Support Flyer.
Project Brain
This federally funded grant project focuses on the provision of education and training for school personnel, families, and health professionals who support students with TBI. The overall goal of Project BRAIN is to improve educational outcomes for children with brain injuries in Tennessee. The program has expanded since its inception in 2000 to encompass the continuum of care from hospital to home to school. Project BRAIN supports a brain injury transition liaison in three children’s hospitals across the state, providing assistance to families of injured children. For more information, call Paula Denslow, Director at (615) 585-2998.
Traumatic Brain Injury Registry
Hospitals are mandated to provide information to the Department of Health on all individuals with brain injury that are admitted to the hospital overnight. Data starting from the first quarter of 1996 is available to the public in aggregate form at no cost. No personal identifiers are released to the public in any form.
Analysis of the Registry data allows staff to pinpoint where and how injuries are occurring, what age groups are affected, and enables the development of programs to prevent injuries. All Tennessee residents listed in the Registry receive a letter to inform them of the services available through the TBI Program. Each year approximately 8,000 persons in Tennessee are admitted to the hospital with at least one diagnostic code for head injury.
Camp
The TBI Program collaborates with Easter Seals Tennessee to sponsor weekend and weeklong camps for adult and youth survivors of brain injury. These camps focus on providing a unique social and recreational opportunity to persons with brain injury in a beautiful and accessible setting. Camp activities include arts and crafts, swimming, hiking, games and boating. Scholarships are available through the state TBI program. There is a $100 application fee per camp. For more information and to request an application, call Easter Seals at (615) 292-6640 or http://www.easterseals.com/tennessee/