Acquired Brain Injury Network Of Pennsylvania, Inc.

sign up at  www.groups.yahoo.com/group/abin-pa.

GOVERNOR RENDELL'S EXECUTIVE ORDER # 2006 09

Governor's Cabinet for People with Disabilties

Governor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities

Governor's Office for People with Disabilities, Edward Butler, Executive Director, 866-229-9337

STATE GOVERNMENT PLANNING GROUPS

Survivors and family members are always welcome to attend stakeholder planning groups within state government. These events are free, open to the public, and sometimes include lunch. Sometimes the State will pay your expenses. The State encourages and values wide participation. Watch for notices from www.groups.yahoo.com/group/abin-pa or send an email to info@abin-pa.org using the E-mail button in the left menu column.

The Brain Injury Recovery Task Force & related Work Groups developed plans and budget recommendations for Secretary Estelle Richman. Survivors and family members participated in the Work Groups which were held by toll-free teleconferencing. The final report is now online at: www.dpw.state.pa.us/About/Secretary/BrainInjuryRecovery/. 

The Community Living Advisory Council is a cross disability group that includes CommCare, Independence, OBRA & Attendant Care Waiver recipients. The CLAC advises the Secretary of Public Welfare and the Office of Long Term Living on all state action involving waivers.  Go to: www.dpw.state.pa.us/About/Secretary/AdvisoryCommittees/HCBSTeam. Meetings are held every other month from 9:30am to 4:00pm in Harrisburg.   

The Home & Community Based Services Stakeholder Planning Team is a cross disability advisory group including self-advocates, family members, agencies, disability organizations, state employees from many DPW Offices and programs, and providers. The HCBS SPT advises the Secretary of Public Welfare and the Office of Long Term Living on all issues impacting persons with disabilities who are receiving state services. Meetings are held every other month from 10:00am to 3:00pm in Harrisburg. Go to:  www.dpw.state.pa.us/About/Secretary/AdvisoryCommittees/HCBSTeam/.

The HCBS SPT Brain Injury Workgroup included survivors, family members, state employees from many departments and programs, and providers. Secretary Estelle Richman charged this group with developing an ideal plan for all ages. Recommendations were approved by the HCBS SPT on 08/25/06 as the Brain Injury Recovery Blueprint. This Work Group was attended by Brenda Eagan Brown, Denny Byrne, Barbara Dively, Cheryl Dougan,  C.B. Miller, Mike Miller, Joseph Neve, Maureen Neve, Dan Rohrback, Jr., Caroll Rottmund, Pat Strenk, Kim Wolf, and Donald Zeigler. A BIWG subgroup including Jackie Culbertson, Cheryl Dougan, Kristin Ahrens, and Barbara Dively worked on a adding Support Brokers to the CommCare Waiver. 

The Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council of the Department of Labor & Industry advises the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. This Council is attended by Don Zeigler. Go to the Council website at http://www.parac.org/ for meeting dates and locations.  

The Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board includes survivors, family members, families, state employees from many departments in state government, providers, agencies and organizations. This Board is funded by a federal TBI Act Grant to the Department of Health and is charged with carrying out the TBI State Action Plan of the DOH. The Board meets quarterly in Harrisburg. Go to: www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=558143&mode=2. This Board coordinates brain injury efforts across departments and within the Department of Health. This Board is chaired by Marlene Nathans and funded by a federal TBI Act Grant to the Department of Health. Email info@abin-pa.org to request notices of the meetings. The Summary of the 2005 TBI Advisory Board State Summit is at:   www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/lib/health/familyhealth/executive_summary_of_tbi_summit.pdf. The DOH TBI State Action Plan is at: www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/lib/health/familyhealth/tbistateactionplan.pdf.

CONTACTING LEGISLATORS IN WASHINGTON, DC

In Washington DC, Congress is composed of legislators the House and the Senate. You have one Representative in the House who serves a specific geographical area of the state. You have two Senators in the Senate who each serve the entire state.

To find your Representative, call 866-864-6483 with your address and zip code or go to: www.house.gov/welcome.shtml

To find your Senator go to: www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

The most important matter that comes up concerns the Traumatic Brain Injury Act. This Act must be funded through an "appropriation" every year. Then, every five years, the Act must be re-authorized.

For frequent messages on national matters, join the ABIN-PA E-list at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/abin-pa.

CONTACTING LEGISLATORS IN HARRISBURG, PA

In Harrisburg, PA, the General Assembly is composed of legislators in the House and Senate. You have one Senator in the Senate and one Representative in the General Assembly.

To find your legislators, go to www.legis.state.pa.us and type your zip code plus four in the top right corner.

Each legislative session lasts two years and ends on November 30. If a bill does not pass by then, it must be re-introduced in the next session.

For frequent news on state matters, join the ABIN-PA E-list at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/abin-pa.