TB/SCI Fund Board Background

October 1996: Governor Caperton created the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Advisory Board by Executive Order pursuant to the Federal TBI Act. On July 10, 1996, H.R. 248 was received in the Senate and passed by unanimous consent. This piece of legislation was presented to President Bill Clinton on July 17, 1996 and was subsequently signed on July 29, 1996 becoming Public Law 104-166, better known as the Traumatic Brain Injury TBI Act. 

The TBI Act of 1996 launched an effort to conduct expanded studies and to establish innovative programs for TBI. The Act gave the Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) authority to establish a grant program for States to assist it in addressing the needs of individuals with TBI and their families.  The TBI Act also delegated responsibilities in research to the National Institute of Health, and prevention and surveillance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  This multi-faceted approach has been federally managed by HRSA in the Department of Health and Human Services, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) since its inception.  Beyond this, under program number 93.234, the Traumatic Brain Injury State Demonstration Grant Program was developed to improve access to TBI related services through "planning grants" and "implementation grants". 

1997: West Virginia received funding for a 1-year Planning Grant to conduct a statewide Needs Assessment for TBI services and to create the 5-year State TBI Model Plan to address unmet needs. 

• Public forums and a needs survey were conducted statewide.
• Commitment was received via Memoranda of Agreement from various state agencies.

1998: The West Virginia Legislature enacted legislation which created the West Virginia Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Fund Board and Fund.

• Composition of the Rehabilitation Fund Board was essentially the same as the Advisory Board
• Purpose of the Board:  
  • Setting priorities and criteria for disbursing monies in the TB/SCI Rehabilitation Fund
  • Investigating needs of citizens with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury (SCI)
  • Identifying gaps in services to these citizens.
• The WV Division of Rehabilitation Services was assigned as the Fiscal Agent by statute.
• A Needs Assessment was conducted for Spinal Cord Injury.

December 1998: The State Traumatic Brain Injury Model Plan was completed. 

December 1999: The State Spinal Cord Injury Model Plan was completed. 

January 1999: The WV TB/SCI Rehabilitation Fund Board and the Division of Rehabilitation Services contract with the Center for Excellence in Disabilities (Formally UACDD) to house the State Program for Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury which serves as staff to the board and carries out the activities of the TBI and SCI Model Plans. 

August 1999: Awarded a 3-year TBI Implementation Grant from US DHHS to create a model Resource Coordination service system for individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury. (LINCS Project) 

Accomplishments 

• Provided resource coordination services to 200 individuals with TBI
• Provided training, technical assistance and information and referral to 13,000 consumers, family members, state agencies, service providers
• Created comprehensive TBI training curriculum currently being used
• Created and distributed Road Map to the Future organizational and resource tool for consumers and families

August 1999 - June 2003: The board provides direct service dollars to individuals with TBI and SCI through the Funds for YOU program. Funding can be used for: Assistive technology; Durable Medical Equipment; Rehabilitation Services; Medical/Dental/Vision Services; Home Modifications; and Family Supports. This program is a payer of last resort. 

2000: Congress reauthorized the TBI Act as part of the Children's Health Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-310). In addition to the previous aspects of this Act already identified above, this Act authorized grants to improve services in the areas of Protection and Advocacy. 

April 2001: House Concurrent Resolution No. 57 was passed, requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study of ways to establish a dedicated funding source for the provision of services to West Virginians with traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. 

April 2002: Awarded a one-year Post Demonstration Grant for TBI from US DHHS to provide statewide training to state agencies and consumers to increase the state's capacity to serve individuals with TBI. 

May 2002: The Center for Excellence in Disabilities received a 3-year Rural Health Outreach Grant from the US DHHS, HRSA, Office of Rural Health Policy to implement the resource coordination system developed for TBI for individuals with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and spina bifida. (Project title: Neuro Network for Coordination of Services) 

December 2003: Awarded a second one-year Post Demonstration Grant for TBI from US DHHS to collaborate with WV Real Choice project to create statewide, web based Resource Directory for disability services and supports in West Virginia. Also continued providing resource coordination for individuals with traumatic brain injury; assisted with transition/diversion of individuals with TBI from nursing homes; provided training and technical assistance to individuals with TBI, families, service providers and state agencies; provided technical assistance in state's pursuit for a TBI Medicaid Waiver; provided information and referral services statewide via toll-free telephone line.