NASHIA News
May 20, 2004
Spring has sprung, summer is fast approaching, and NASHIA is busier than ever!
The 15th Annual State of the States in Head Injury Meeting, taking place September 8-11 at the Vanderbilt Marriott in Nashville, will be one of the best ever! This year's theme is: Building Bridges . . . Spanning A Lifetime. The program features pre- and post-conference sessions and special social activities to promote collaboration and networking. Please watch your mailbox in June for the registration brochure.
In addition to State Watch and the Federal Legislative Alerts that are coming to you regularly, NASHIA delivered written testimony supporting a $24.6 million TBI Act appropriation in FFY 05, updated its Motorcycle Helmet position statement, and submitted comments on NIDRR's proposed priorities for Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers. These documents, along with materials published by Federal agencies, policy think-tanks, and related organizations are posted to NASHIA's website. I hope you'll visit www.nashia.org soon!
NASHIA recently joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and the North American Brain Injury Society (NABIS). Later this month, we will send a delegation of agency administrators to the Brain Injury Association of America's Public Policy Training & Capitol Hill Fly-In. Throughout the summer, NASHIA will work with BIAA and NAPAS on TBI Act reauthorization language and strategies.
HRSA's MCHB is currently interviewing candidates for the Federal TBI Program Director; the position should be filled in the next 60 days. The Federal Program is in the midst of an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Performance Assessment Rating, which is an evaluation of the Program's design, management, accomplishments, and outcomes. The White House will base its FFY 06 budget proposal on OMB's analysis. NASHIA strongly urges State Grant Program Directors to submit current and past due Annual Reports. Your reports impact OMB results, and therefore, TBI Act appropriations!
Our TA Center staff is moving forward on several exciting projects including individualized TA plans, learning communities, special products, a new and very dynamic web-based collaboration space, Grantee Meeting planning, and outreach to more than 100 national organizations with intersecting interests.
PIC projects are also flourishing! The Aging and Behavioral Health facts sheets will soon be in your mailboxes, a new Employment Task Force is being launched, and plans are underway for a TBI & Domestic Violence webcast to be aired in August plus three Behavioral Health Radiocasts later this fall. Please respond to staff requests for updates and corrections on the Guide to State Government Brain Injury Policy, Funding and Services. We hope to circulate the second edition in September but need your help to do so.
NASHIA's Board of Directors and its committees have met numerous times this year to guide the association's policies, finances, and programs. Together with Susan Connors, our Executive Director, we are conducting our independent audit, preparing the annual report, and seeking new funding. We're also drafting a legislative platform, adopting policies and procedures, and evaluating our membership and dues structure.
We are so fortunate to have such a talented and hard-working Board and staff serving the interests of state government brain injury program administrators. Yet, we know we can improve and welcome your suggestions. Thank you for your continuing involvement and support. We look forward to seeing you at our State of the States Meeting.
Lorraine Wargo
President
National Association of State Head Injury Administrators
4330 East West Highway, Suite 301,
Bethesda, MD 20814
Main Office 301-656-3500
Main Office Fax 301-656-3530
Website - www.nashia.org
General mailbox - nashia@nashia.org
NASHIA is assisting state government in promoting partnerships and building systems to meet the needs of individuals with brain injury and their families.
