DENVER (Aug. 13, 2020) - The Colorado Department of Human Services' MINDSOURCE Brain Injury Network, in partnership with the Colorado Brain Injury Advisory Board, has released its Brain Injury State Plan, which resulted from 18 months of planning by a 20-member board. The plan will result in the creation of a strengthened system of services and supports that maximizes the independence, well-being and health of Coloradans with brain injuries.
"Brain injuries are more common than we may think, impacting over 500,000 Coloradans," said CDHS Executive Director Michelle Barnes. "With this work, Colorado will be a leader that other states will look to as they seek to enhance the quality of life for everyone living with or affected by brain injury in their state and communities."
The plan, covering three and a half years, has three primary areas of focus:
Improving brain injury infrastructure (including funding for brain injury services and initiatives)
Assuring supports for individuals with brain injury across their lifespan (including broadening the practice of brain screening within systems)
Improving access to services (with an emphasis on improving self-advocacy skills among individuals with brain injury)
"With the release of the MINDSOURCE Brain Injury Network state plan, we continue to solidify our important role in the lives of Coloradans with brain injuries," said Yolanda Webb, CDHS director of the Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services. 'We are proud of the work that has been and will be accomplished in the next three and a half years."
The advisory board evaluated past Colorado needs assessments focused on brain injury. Information gleaned from the various reports informed initial goals and strategies. The largest barriers to proper care included stigma, access to services and insurance limitations, high out-of-pocket expenses, and a need for culturally appropriate and person-centered training.
MINDSOURCE serves as the umbrella entity for three distinct programs/functions: managing the Colorado Brain Injury Trust Fund, which supports client services, brain injury research and education, providing training and technical assistance regarding brain injury for public and private entities, and managing local, state and federal grants on special initiatives related to brain injury. MINDSOURCE is housed within the Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services at the Colorado Department of Human Services.
Funding for Brain Injury State Plan development activities was made possible by a grant awarded to Colorado by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) State Partnership Program.
Media contact:
Madlynn Ruble, Deputy Director of Communications
madlynn.ruble@state.co.us
303.866.3411