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ABIN-PA E-LIST FOR BRAIN INJURY AND DISABILITY NEWS
For frequent email messages 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
CONTACTING YOUR REPRESENTATIVE (one) AND SENATORS (two) IN WASHINGTON, DC
Congress in Washington DC is composed of two branches - the House and the Senate. You have one Representative in the House and two Senators in the Senate.
Your Representative - For the name and contact information (DC and local district office), visit the Brain Injury Association of America's Legislative Action Center, the Policy Corner on the web, at http://capwiz.com/bia/home. Or call 202-224-3121 or 866-864-6483 (toll free) anytime and ask for your Representative's office on Capitol Hill. You will need to know your address and zip code.
Your two Senators are Senator Arlen Specter (215-597-7200) and Senator Rick Santorum (215-864-6900).
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. Information will come to you through the ABIN-PA E-list if you sign up at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/abin-pa.
If you need assistance, contact the Brain Injury Association of America at 800-444-6443.
CONTACTING YOUR REPRESENTATIVE (one) AND SENATOR (one) IN HARRISBURG, PA
Each legislative session lasts two years. If a bill does not pass, it will expire on November 30 of the year that the session ends. The bill will need to be re-introduced for the next two year session.
In Pennsylvania, you have one Representative and one Senator.
To find your Harrisburg Representative, click on http://www.house.state.pa.us.
To find your Harrisburg Senator, click on http://www.senate.state.pa.ua.
Be sure to have your address and zip code handy.
Currently, the most important matter is the unfortunate repeal of the motorcycle helmet law. Adults in Pennsylvania can now ride motorcycles without helmets, and many become seriously brain injured as a result.
For frequent news, join the ABIN-PA E-list at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/abin-pa.
STATE GOVERNMENT PLANNING GROUPS
Survivors and family members are always needed to attend
stakeholder planning groups within state government. These events are free, open
to the public, and
usually include lunch. Sometimes the State will pay your expenses. The State
encourages and values wide participation.
Receive information through the ABIN-PA E-List
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/abin-pa or
send an email to ABIN-PA using the link above.
Community Living Advisory Board - CommCare, Independence, OBRA & Attendant Care Waiver recipients. All disabilities. Advises Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle Richman on all state action involving recipients of services through the DPW Office of Social Programs. Meets in Harrisburg.
Dauphin County Brain Injury Panel - Survivors, family members, professionals, providers, and Dauphin County MH/MR. Speakers and discussion of any topic brought to the meeting. (No lunch.) Meets in Harrisburg.
Home & Community Based Services Stakeholder Planning Team (HCBS SPT) - all disabilities, state employees from many DPW Offices and programs, and providers. Advises Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle Richman on all topics affecting persons receiving services through DPW. Begun under a federal Systems Change Grant to DPW. Meets in Harrisburg.
HCBS SPT Brain Injury Workgroup - survivors, family members, state employees from many departments and programs, providers. Formed to develop an ideal plan for all ages, which was approved by the HCBS SPT on 08/25/06 as the Brain Injury Recovery Blueprint.
Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board - survivors and/or their families, state employees from many departments in state government, providers. This Board is funded by a federal TBI Act Grant to the Department of Health. This group is charged with carrying out the TBI State Action Plan of the DOH. Meets in Harrisburg.
