(a) In general
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, may make grants to States for the purpose of carrying out projects to improve access to health and other services regarding traumatic brain injury.
(b) State advisory board
(1) In general
The Secretary may make a grant under subsection (a) of this section only if the State involved agrees to establish an advisory board within the appropriate health department of the State or within another department as designated by the chief executive officer of the State.
(2) Functions
An advisory board established under paragraph (1) shall advise and make recommendations to the State on ways to improve services coordination regarding traumatic brain injury. Such advisory boards shall encourage citizen participation through the establishment of public hearings and other types of community outreach programs. In developing recommendations under this paragraph, such boards shall consult with Federal, State, and local governmental agencies and with citizens groups and other private entities.
(3) Composition An advisory board established under paragraph (1) shall be composed of
(A) representatives of
(i) the corresponding State agencies involved;
(iii) other disability advisory or planning groups within the State;
(iv) members of an organization or foundation representing individuals with traumatic brain injury in that State; and
(v) injury control programs at the State or local level if such programs exist; and
(B) a substantial number of individuals with traumatic brain injury, or the family members of such individuals.
(c) Matching funds
(1) In general
With respect to the costs to be incurred by a State in carrying out the purpose described in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary may make a grant under such subsection only if the State agrees to make available non-Federal contributions toward such costs in an amount that is not less than $1 for each $2 of Federal funds provided under the grant.
(2) Determination of amount contributed
Non-Federal contributions under paragraph (1) may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment, or services. Amounts provided by the Federal Government, or services assisted or subsidized to any significant extent by the Federal Government, may not be included in determining the amount of such contributions.
(d) Application for grant
The Secretary may make a grant under subsection (a) of this section only if an application for the grant is submitted to the Secretary and the application is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section.
(e) Continuation of previously awarded demonstration projects
A State that received a grant under this section prior to October 17, 2000, may compete for new project grants under this section after October 17, 2000.
(f) Use of State grants
(1) Community services and supports A State shall (directly or through awards of contracts to
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nonprofit private entities) use amounts received under a grant under this section for the following:
(A) To develop, change, or enhance community-based service delivery systems that include timely access to comprehensive appropriate services and supports. Such service and supports
(i) shall promote full participation by individuals with brain injury and their families in decision making regarding the services and supports; and
(ii) shall be designed for children and other individuals with traumatic brain injury.
(B) To focus on outreach to underserved and inappropriately served individuals, such as individuals in institutional settings, individuals with low socioeconomic resources, individuals in rural communities, and individuals in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
(C) To award contracts to
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nonprofit entities for consumer or family service access training, consumer support, peer mentoring, and parent to parent programs.
(D) To develop individual and family service coordination or case management systems.
(E) To support other needs identified by the advisory board under subsection (b) of this section for the State involved.
(2) Best practices
(A) In general State services and supports provided under a grant under this section shall reflect the best practices in the field of traumatic brain injury, shall be in compliance with title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 [
42 U.S.C.
12131 et seq.], and shall be supported by quality assurance measures as well as state-of-the-art health care and integrated community supports, regardless of the severity of injury.
(B) Demonstration by State agency
The State agency responsible for administering amounts received under a grant under this section shall demonstrate that it has obtained knowledge and expertise of traumatic brain injury and the unique needs associated with traumatic brain injury.
(3) State capacity building A State may use amounts received under a grant under this section to
(A) educate consumers and families;
(B) train professionals in public and private sector financing (such as third party payers, State agencies, community-based providers, schools, and educators);
(C) develop or improve case management or service coordination systems;
(D) develop best practices in areas such as family or consumer support, return to work, housing or supportive living personal assistance services, assistive technology and devices, behavioral health services, substance abuse services, and traumatic brain injury treatment and rehabilitation;
(E) tailor existing State systems to provide accommodations to the needs of individuals with brain injury (including systems administered by the State departments responsible for health, mental health, labor/employment, education, mental retardation/developmental disorders, transportation, and correctional systems);
(F) improve data sets coordinated across systems and other needs identified by a State plan supported by its advisory council; and
(G) develop capacity within targeted communities.
(g) Coordination of activities
The Secretary shall ensure that activities under this section are coordinated as appropriate with other Federal agencies that carry out activities regarding traumatic brain injury.
(h) Report
Not later than 2 years after July 29, 1996, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate, a report describing the findings and results of the programs established under this section, including measures of outcomes and consumer and surrogate satisfaction.
(i) “Traumatic brain injury” defined For purposes of this section, the term traumatic brain injury means an acquired injury to the brain. Such term does not include brain dysfunction caused by congenital or degenerative disorders, nor birth trauma, but may include brain injuries caused by anoxia due to trauma. The Secretary may revise the definition of such term as the Secretary determines necessary, after consultation with States and other appropriate public or
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nonprofit private entities.
(j) Authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2001 through 2005.
