Programs
Hawaii
TBI Lead Agency
Dept. of Health
Developmental Disabilities Services Branch
2201 Waimano Home Road
Pearl City, HI 96782-1496
Aaron Arakaki
Public Health Supervisor
808-453-6294
808-453-6217 (Fax)
aaron.arakaki@doh.hawaii.gov
Service Delivery
In Hawaii the Lead Agency for providing assistance to individuals with neurotrauma injuries is the Department of Health's Developmental Disabilities Division. Its mission is to develop, implement, and monitor a comprehensive system of statewide supports to address the needs of people with neurotrauma injury and their families. Through its leadership and partnerships with community stakeholders the Department promotes neurotrauma injury prevention programs, education, and public awareness.
In Hawaii, activities to support individuals with neurotrauma injuries and their families are guided by two legislative Acts: Act 333, passed in 1997 which established the State Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board; and Act 160, passed in 2002 which defines Neurotrauma, describes the Department's responsibilities, and established a Neurotrauma Advisory Board and Neurotrauma Special Fund.
The Neurotrauma Special Fund was authorized by the 2002 Legislature via SB594, Act 160. Revenue to support this fund is derived primarily from surcharges on traffic violations such as not using or improper use of vehicular restraints, speeding, driving under of the influence of an intoxicant, and accidents involving death or bodily injury. The amount of the surcharge varies with the type of violation and number of convictions. The Fund may also be supported by Federal funds or State general revenue appropriated for neurotrauma.
The Fund is administered by the Department with advisory recommendations from the Neurotrauma Advisory Board. The intended use is to fund: 1) education on neurotrauma; 2) assistance to individuals and families in identifying and accessing services; and 3) a registry of neurotrauma injuries within the State to identify incidence, prevalence, individual needs, and related information. The current services the Department offers as part of its system of supports are: a) a statewide telephone Helpline providing information and referral to available community services to individuals with TBI, their families, friends, advocates and the general public; b) screening/intake to assess the needs and concerns of survivors and their families in development of a support plan to achieve their desired outcomes; c) a Web site that provides information on services and resources on the major Hawaiian islands, a calendar of events, Advisory Boards, and links to other Web sites; d) quarterly newsletters distributed to survivors, families, services providers, public/private agencies/organizations; e) educational and public awareness sessions developed in partnership with various public and private organizations (BIA-HI, Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii; American Heart/Stroke Association, Elderly Affairs, Injury Prevention and Control Program) in order to provide information about neurotrauma injuries and how to contact us; f) administrative and technical support to the two Advisory Boards; and g) coordinating and monitoring use of the Special Fund.
Some of the concerns expressed through the Helpline and screening/intake include the need for housing, retaining public benefits, in-home care or homemaker services, counseling, cognitive rehabilitation, day activity, and legal issues. Referrals are made to such agencies and organizations as the Hawaii Center for Independent Living, Department of Human Services, Lions Club, Community Health Centers, private neuro-psychologists, and Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.
The DOH-DDD is currently developing a Support Coordination Service utilizing the Neurotrauma Special Fund. Support Coordination shall be a contracted service whose primary purpose will be to provide individuals, and their families, with assistance to access entitlements and link with natural supports in their communities based upon a person-centered planning process. Initial consultations have been done with various private case managers and case management agencies to assess their interest and capacity to provide this service.
The second phase will be to review the scope of service and negotiate a reasonable and standard rate before contracts are implemented. The intent is to offer this service to adults who have sustained a neurotrauma injury. For children, public services are available through the Department's Developmental Disabilities/Mental Retardation program, Family Health Services, Division, and Department of Education.
Find out more information on this State's services in its current profile by clicking here. [PDF 50KB]. You can also order a hardcopy of our latest "Guide to State Government Brain Injury Policies, Funding and Services" for profiles of all States and much more.
HRSA-Funded Projects
Three broad needs were identified as a result of a needs assessment: education, expansion and sustainability of resources, and improvement in quality of care. The current TBI Implementation Grant focuses on education through a distance learning program in brain injury with George Washington University, public education by the Brain Injury Association of Hawaii, a statewide telephone help line, Web-based resource directory and newsletter. Currently there are 8 scholars from government and private agencies who are enrolled in the George Washington University long-distance learning course offering a Graduate Certificate in Special Education and Brain Injury program. This will provide the State with a cadre of professionals skilled in the area of brain injuries.
Find more information on this State's project in its current grant profile.
Promising Practices
Hawaii is the only State which has a Self-Determination law in its Developmental Disabilities statute.
Click here for a summary of the State's Brain Injury Training Portfolio
