The Association has collaborated with the New York State Department of Health
to raise awareness about traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the military. The Traumatic
Brain Injury Training and Military Veteran’s Services Project is a resource for providers
and families as they seek to understand the symptoms of, and treatment for, TBI. Through
this project, the Association works to connect returning service members and their families
with activities related to training, education, collaboration, and outreach; and to develop relationships with the NYS Division of Veterans Affairs and other state organizations that
provide services to veterans in the areas of health care, rehabilitation, and employment.

Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom have posed new challenges to established systems of recognition and treatment of closed head injury and coordination of services for returning combat veterans. The Veterans Administration system provides a complex network of services for returning veterans, many of whom have not been previously identified as having sustained a closed head injury in combat operations. It is the overall goal of this grant to support and extend the range of coordinated care options for returning combat personnel, their families and caregivers.

The Traumatic Brain Injury Training and Military Veteran’s Services Project is working to accomplish the following goals:

• Provide training to staff working with individuals with brain injury through the NYS Department of Health Home and Community-Based Traumatic Brain Injury Services Medicaid Waiver and those providing services to military personnel 
• Increase the number of TBI waiver providers in New York State
• Collaborate with the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) and relevant state agencies to identify barriers and constraints to seamless and accessible care and support services for military veterans and their families
• Develop methods and links that will facilitate service delivery systems and community supports for military personnel with traumatic brain injury and their families; and
• Assure that military personnel have access to TBI community-based services