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Pennsylvania

TBI Lead Agency

Dept. of Health
Division of Child & Adult Services
Bureau of Family Health
PO Box 90, 7th Floor East
Harrisburg, PA  17108

Carolyn Cass
Director
717-783-5436
717-772-0323 (Fax)
ccass@state.pa.us

Service Delivery

In Pennsylvania individuals with TBI age 21 and older may be eligible for services administered by the Department of Health, Head Injury Program (HIP), which was created in 1988 by the Emergency Medical Services Act of 1985. This Act established a Catastrophic Medical and Rehabilitation Fund (28PA Code CH4) in 1985 and is funded with fines from driving under the influence and moving violations. It has provided service coordination and direct services and is available to adults at or below 300 percent of the Federal poverty level.

Each year the Department of Health receives $3 million from the fund to provide short-term intensive rehabilitation services for persons who meet financial and other eligibility criteria. Eligible individuals may receive services with a cost ceiling of $100,000 or one year of service, whichever comes first. Upon discharge from the program, an individual may receive up to six months of transitional case management. Rehabilitation services include outpatient, prevocational, habilitation and support, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, coaching/cueing, behavioral therapy, psychological counseling, therapeutic recreation and life skills. Services may be provided in an outpatient, residential, or home and community-based setting.

To enroll into the HIP, individuals should contact the State Agency's eligibility unit in the Department of Health to obtain an application. Once eligibility is determined, an individual participates in an assessment that is completed by a brain injury accredited provider. The Department contracts with the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) to provide pre-enrollment assistance to individuals and their families. The BIAPA assists individuals with completing applications for all State Agency services, and with accessing any and all appropriate resources, including those services available through the Department of Public Welfare (DPW).

DPW administers a TBI Waiver Program known as COMMCARE. This program specifically provides for home and community- based services, and in fact, many individuals who have received services through the HIP transition into one of DPW's waiver programs.

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

Pennsylvania received a Planning Grant in 2001, and an Implementation Grant beginning in 2003. The Implementation Grant is focused on four areas:

1. Development of a statewide Information and Referral Clearinghouse which includes a Web site, TBI Resource Directory, and TBI Library. A toll-free number has been established to receive calls regarding TBI Services.
2. Education and Public Awareness.
3. Experiential, Skills-Based Training for service providers and families.
4. Enhancement of linkages across State and local service systems, including the development and expansion of support groups.

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