Statewide Resouces
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Legal Services | Law firms provide assistance to those who may need legal representation. Potential issues can include insurance policy benefits, securing government benefits, estate planning, and workers compensation. |
| Abuse/Domestic Violence | Brain injuries are often the result of abuse or domestic violence, and survivors are at a higher risk of being the victims of abuse. The agencies listed below are committed to helping individuals facing domestic violence situations. |
| Advocacy/Support Agencies | Advocacy organizations strive to increase programs and services that will enhance the quality of life for persons with a brain injury. They advocate for and support programs and legislative issues that provide direct benefit for individuals with brain injuries and their families. |
| Assistive Technologies | Assistive Technology is any piece of equipment or device that is used to increase the independence of an individual with a disability. These devices are used for working, playing, learning and living and include mobility aids, communication devices, computers, sports equipment and adaptive toys. |
| Caregiver Support | Caregivers of persons with brain injury may find that they sometimes struggle to provide quality care and services to their loved ones. These organizations are specifically designed to alleviate this burden by providing services for caregivers and their families. |
| Counseling Services | Counseling services help with adjustment, behaviors, relationships, and other emotional difficulties. Counseling can be individual, family, or group, depending on needs. |
| Day & Clubhouse Programs | A Brain Injury Clubhouse or Day Program is a community center for individuals living with the effects of brain injury. These facilities offer a safe environment for persons living with brain injuries to socialize and receive services that improve quality of life. |
| Educational and Support Services | Resources for Educational and Support Services provide a variety of services for persons living with brain injuries and their families. Services may include information and referral, case support, survivor training and education, family counseling, resource coordination, and peer counseling. |
| Financial Services | Financial services offer individuals assistance with financial needs. Some of the financial assistance offered may required eligibility requirements. |
| Guardianship | A guardian serves as a decision-maker and manages the property and rights of a person who, because of age, understanding, or self-control, is considered incapable of managing his/her own affairs. This section lists organizations that deliver services and information to guardians. |
| Independent Living Services | Independent Living services assists individuals with developing skills and making environmental changes in order to live a more independent life. |
| Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCO) | There are 6 local offices, which are commonly referred to as Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCO). These local offices offer both Medicaid and State-funded services. The LME/MCOs manage providers that deliver services in the community. |
| Neurology | Neurologists diagnose and treat all categories of conditions involving the central and peripheral nervous system. The primary focus is on the structures of the brain and its functioning. Listed below are neurological offices that work with brain injury and its related symptoms. |
| Neuropsychiatry | Neuropsychiatry is a unique combination of psychiatry and neurology. Neuropsychiatrists specialize in the behavioral or psychological difficulties associated with neurological conditions and brain injuries. |
| Neuropsychology | Neuropsychologists specialize in assessing and treating behavioral, cognitive, and emotional changes that result from brain dysfunction. Treatment includes rehabilitation, psychological therapy, and education. |
| Pediatrics | Specialized services for children and their families. Services include medical, cognitive-behavioral, and educational options. |
| Psychology | Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, social processes, and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and their environments. Psychologists have the professional training and clinical skills to assist people in learning to cope more effectively with life issues and mental health challenges. |
| Recreational & Leisure | Specialized programs are designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals with brain injuries by providing opportunities for socialization, leisure activities, and psychological stimulation. |
| Rehabilitation Services | Rehabilitation services (includes but not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, recreational therapy, music therapy, and mental health rehabilitation services) assists individuals with regaining physical, mental, and/or cognitive abilities that have been lost due to disease, injury, or treatment. The goal of rehabilitation services is to assist individuals with regaining the maximum level of independent functioning. |
| Rehabilitation Physicians | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians, also known as physiatrists, treat a wide variety of medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. The main focus is to assist individuals with restoring of function following a brain injury or neurological disorder. |
| Residential Options | Residential services for persons with brain injuries. Contact facilities to learn more about availability, financial stipulations, or other questions. |
| Respite Care | Respite Care provides short-term relief for caregivers to allow caregivers time away from the responsibility of caregiving. Respite care can be provided in the home, at day-care centers, or at residential centers. |
| Speech & Language Pathology | Speech pathologists work with individuals whose oral motor, swallowing, cognitive-linguistic, speech, or language skills have been affected by a neurological disorder or condition. |
| Substance Abuse | Individuals who have experienced a brain injury or other cognitive issues may self-medicate through the misuse of alcohol or other drugs. The following list of agencies provide support for individuals who are seeking assistance with overcoming misuse and/or addictions. |
| Vision | Optometrists, ophthalmologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, and neuro-optometrist. Optometrists examine, diagnose, and treat disease and injuries to the visual system Opthalmologists specialize in medical and surgical care of the eyes. Neuro-ophthalmologists treat the nervous system of the eyes, including disease associated with the optic nerve and unexplained visual difficulties. Neuro-optometrists address the underlying vision conditions that can cause blurred vision, double vision, headaches, eyestrain, visual fatigue, tracking difficulties, balance dysfunction, and challenges with process. |
| Vocational Rehabilitation | Vocational Rehabilitation services provide assistance in job training and placement. Most vocational agencies facilitate work evaluations and offer some form of supported employment. |
| Corrective Care | After a brain injury, the trauma can misalign the atlas (the first vertebrae at the base of the cranium (skull)) and cranial relationship. This can produce an interference with the normal CSF (cerebro-spinal fluid) flow and can reduce the blood flow through the vertebral artery to the brain and can produce spinal cord compression. The goal of the Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractor is to restore the atlas and the cranial relationship to a normal orthogonal position, which can restore the normal CSF (cerebro-spinal fluid) flow, vertebral artery flow and remove spinal cord compressional syndromes. |
| Integrative Medicine | Integrated Medicine focuses on the whole person and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals, and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing. |
| Vacation & Travel | Information for vacation and travel for individuals with brain injuries and/or other disabilities. |