NASHIA News

A Message from NASHIA's President

February 22, 2006

Greetings NASHIA Member:

As I am sure you are all aware, the President’s FY 07 budget proposal has again eliminated the Federal TBI program. The effect of this action is the loss of the State and Protection and Advocacy grants funded through the TBI Program as well as the planned outreach to Federal partners regarding identification of children with TBI and Iraqi war veterans with TBI. Again, NASHIA and the brain injury community are faced with the challenge of having the funding for the Federal TBI Program placed back into the federal budget for FY07. This could not be more critical! NASHIA will keep in contact to let you know how you can help in this effort.

I have attached a copy of NASHIA’s FY06 budget. NASHIA over the past years has been able to fund much of its federal education on TBI though it’s Partnership for Information and Communication (PIC) grant with HRSA. This funding will be ending March 31, 2006, leaving a large hole to fill. The NASHIA Board has looked at many ways to bring in unrestricted funds, some of which are included in this budget. As a result, this budget reflects increases in many areas including membership, conference registration fees and donations, all of which increase the amount of unrestricted funds available to NASHIA, allowing NASHIA to fund lobbying activities necessary to reinstate the Federal TBI Program into the FY07 Budget. However, NASHIA and the NASHIA Board cannot do it alone. It needs the help and support of its membership.

So what can members do to help? Here are five simple activities that members can do to help NASHIA at this time:

1. Renew your membership. If you have not already done so, renew your NASHIA membership. If you are a State employee and do not have a State membership, please do so.

2. Find two colleagues within your state to join NASHIA.

3. Attend our annual State of the States in Brain Injury conference (SOS) and bring a colleague.

4. Buy NASHIA Products. Visit the NASHIA website www.nashia.org and see all the products that NASHIA has to offer.

5. Make a donation to NASHIA. You can send your check payable to NASHIA to:

Kenneth Currier,
Executive Director
NASHIA
4330 East West Highway, Suite 301
Bethesda, MD 20814.

If you prefer to contribute via credit card, you should call Jeff Henderson, Finance and Administration Manager at 301-656-3147.

I am pleased to announce that Augusta Cash from Alabama has agreed to come onto the NASHIA Board as the Emeritus Board Member. I would like to thank Augusta and welcome her back onto our Board.

As always, I invite members to contact me with any suggestions, questions or concerns that you may have.

Thank you.

John

Attachments:
President's Message 2006 Budget_Final.xls [Excel 205KB]