Acquired Brain Injury Network Of Pennsylvania, Inc.

This page explains ways to participate in state and local government affairs. 

ABIN-PA E-LIST FOR BRAIN INJURY AND DISABILITY NEWS

For frequent emails on brain injury and disability issues,

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 usually 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 above.  

The Brain Injury Recovery Task Force & related Work Groups developed plans and budget recommendations for Secretary Estelle Richman. Go to:  http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/About/Secretary/BrainInjuryRecovery/. Survivors and family members participated in the Work Groups which were held by toll-free teleconferencing. Contact info@abin-pa.org or Ginny Rogers at virrogers@state.pa.us for more information. 

The Community Living Advisory Council is a cross disability group that includes CommCare, Independence, OBRA & Attendant Care Waiver recipients. The CLAC advises Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle Richman on all state action involving waivers.  Go to http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/about/secretary/advisorycommittees/clac/default.htm. Meetings are held every other month from 9:30am to 4:00pm in Harrisburg. PA. The CLAC is attended by Dan Rohrback, Jr. More volunteers are needed, especially those receiving services through the CommCare Waiver.   

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 Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle Richman 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, PA, with lunch included. Cheryl Dougan, John Pistorius, and Barbara Dively attend. Go to:  http://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, 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 Barb 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.  

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: http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?a=179&q=244996&PM=1. This Board coordinates brain injury efforts across departments and within the Department of Health. This Board is chaired by Carla Washinko and funded by a federal TBI Act Grant to the Department of Health.  Please email Mike Miller at mjmiller@epix.net to get on the mailing list for 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 YOUR REPRESENTATIVE (one) AND SENATORS (two) IN WASHINGTON, DC

In Washington DC, Congress 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 at http://capwiz.com/bia/issues/alert/?alertid=11411806  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 Bob Casey (Toll Free (866) 802-2833). 

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. If you need more information on national issues, contact the Brain Injury Association of America at 800-444-6443.

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

CONTACTING YOUR REPRESENTATIVE (one) AND SENATOR (one) IN HARRISBURG, PA

In Harrisburg, PA, You have one Senator in the Senate and one Representative in the General Assembly.

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.

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.

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