Programs
Massachusetts
TBI Lead Agency
Rehabilitation Commission
Statewide Specialized Community Services
TBI Multicultural Outreach Program
27 Wormwood St., Suite 600
Boston, MA 02210
Debra S. Kamen
617-204-3852
617-204-3889 (Fax)
Service Delivery
In Massachusetts the Statewide Head Injury Program (SHIP) serves individuals from birth through death who have sustained an externally-caused TBI. Anyone can apply or inquire about these services by contacting the main State office. Administrative staff provide general information and application materials. Individuals, family members/guardians or professionals can speak with a SHIP Regional Coordinator for more specific resource information. Information about resources statewide can be accessed without application or eligibility determination. SHIP staff are often called upon to help guide those with other types of acquired brain injury (non-traumatic) to available and appropriate services through other public and private service systems. Paid services provided by SHIP, which is administered by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission are only accessible to those determined eligible utilizing the criteria set forth in the State regulations.
SHIP has assigned service coordinators throughout the State in defined service regions to assist individuals with TBI and their families to access services. Service Coordinators assist individuals with TBI in their respective regions by identifying and accessing programs and services; perform or arrange for assessments; develop ISPs based on recommendations of professionals, their own assessments and the needs and appropriate wishes of the consumer; contract and monitor services or programs paid for by SHIP; identify and develop resources and program linkages within their regions; and act as the SHIP primary liaison to other public and private agencies within their regions.
SHIP offers a wide spectrum of individualized services through a network of community-based services and supports that assist individuals in maintaining or increasing their level of independence at home, work and in their communities. Community services and supports include: assistive technology, community-based residential services including 24/7 and a transitional program for the homeless, community-based supports for independent living such as case management and community support workers, family assistance, multi-service centers/day services, clinical and therapeutic services such as neurobehavioral assessments and adaptive equipment evaluations, respite, transportation, social/recreation, substance abuse treatment, survivor and family educational programs and other ancillary services that are based on unanticipated individual needs such as dental work. These services are provided through contracts with providers and professionals around the State. SHIP also provides funding to the Massachusetts Brain Injury Association to support prevention initiatives, education/awareness activities, and information and referral services.
SHIP administers services and supports statewide that are funded by a general revenue appropriation and trust fund income. The Medicaid match through the TBI Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Program goes directly into the general fund. Adults with TBI who are Medicaid eligible, meet level of care under the waiver and are receiving services through SHIP may be included under the TBI HCBS Waiver. Waiver services include homemaker, personal care, respite care, residential habilitation, supported employment, day services, environmental accessibility adaptations, transportation, chore and companion services, family training, extended physical, occupational and speech therapy, specialized medical equipment and supplies, substance abuse counseling and treatment and interpreter services for the deaf and hard of hearing and those from linguistically diverse communities. Waiver eligibility is determined by a SHIP neuropsychological consultant while the SHIP Service Coordinators are responsible for working with individuals/guardians regarding their choices and the Plan of Care process.
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
The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Statewide Head Injury Program (SHIP) received an Implementation Grant in April 2000 to train community-based minority organizations (CBMOs) to identify, provide outreach to, and serve individuals with TBI in their own communities. The diverse communities and organizations targeted were primarily the African-American, Latino and Asian communities. CBMOs were trained to identify people with brain injury, assist them in applying to SHIP for services, becoming qualified to provide these services, and establishing linkages with other resources within those communities that share people's language and cultures. As a result of this outreach project, the number of SHIP's applications from diverse communities has risen dramatically as has the number of people receiving services.
Find more information on this State's project in its current grant profile.
Promising Practices
Click here for a summary of the State's Brain Injury Training Portfolio
