About NASHIA

Dear Web Site Visitor:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health problem with more than 1.4 million injuries occurring each year and at least 5.3 million Americans currently living with a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living as a result of a TBI.

TBI is a complex disability that challenges States’ ability to respond to the needs of persons with TBI and their families. These individuals need services that cross multiple programs including Medicaid, vocational rehabilitation, employment, education, home health care, mental health, substance abuse, and long-term care programs. Without coordinated systems of care, individuals are often placed inappropriately into nursing homes or left to the families to care for without much support or assistance. When families are no longer able to care for these individuals, the families turn to the State, which is generally the only resource for these crisis situations.

In 1990 NASHIA became the first and remains the only forum addressing State government’s significant role in brain injury. NASHIA is the premier source of information and education for State Agency employees who are responsible for public brain injury policies, programs, and services. NASHIA is also the voice of State government in Federal TBI policy issues.

NASHIA reaches out to all State Agency employees who interact with individuals with brain injury and welcomes membership by advocates, professionals, and organizations with an interest in State and local policy and service delivery.

Contact me to find out how you can become involved in NASHIA’s activities.

Sincerely,
William A. B. Ditto
NASHIA President