Definition:
(a) Means an acquired injury to the brain that is caused by an external physical force and that results in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects educational performance.
(b) Applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in mild, moderate, or severe impairments in one or more areas, including cognition, language, memory, attention, reasoning, abstract thinking, judgment, problem solving, sensory, perceptual and motor abilities, psychosocial behavior, physical function, information processing, and speech.
(c) Does not include brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative or brain injuries induced by birth trauma. (A.R.S. 15-761)
Eligibility Criteria
Traumatic Brain Injury Determination of Eligibility, Arizona Department of Education/Exceptional Student Services, The 3 R’s of Multidisciplinary Evaluation: Requirements, References, and Reports.
Mission
To ensure any school in Arizona is able to receive competent technical assistance related to TBI in order to meet the needs of children who have sustained traumatic brain injuries.
Program Description
Provision of continuing education opportunities, focused topical training, and onsite consultation leading to:
- Increased awareness of the needs of students with TBI and their families throughout the education community
- An increased knowledge base to address the multiple educational and social needs of students with TBI
- Increased capacity throughout the state to provide technical assistance regarding general and specific questions related to educating students with TBI
- Increased satisfaction among student, parents, educators, and administrators regarding services to students with TBI
Brain Injury Resources
- Arizona Governor’s Council on Spinal and Head Injuries – 602-863-0484
- Brain Injury Association of AZ 1-888-500-9165
- Brain Injury Association of America 1-800-444-6443
- SUPPORT Cadre
- Arizona Department of Health Services, Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs, TBI/SCI/CYSHCN (Traumatic Brain Injury/Spinal Cord Injury/Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs) Service Coordination Program – 602-364-1488 – Lynn O’Malia, Program Manager
- Parents Information Network Services (PINS)
- State Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Rehabilitation’s TBI Specialists Program – 602-863-0484 – Rebecca Burch
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Website fact sheet about traumatic brain injury at www.cdc.gov/ncip/factsheets/tbi.htm
- Order a free brochure, Facts about Concussion and Brain Injury, (in English and Spanish) online at www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi/default.htm
- National Association of State Head Injury Administrators
- Fact sheets on traumatic brain injury including overview, neurobehavioral health, emergency medical services, and many more www.nashia.org
