Texas Brain Injury Advisory Council Now accepting applications

The Texas BIAC reports to the Office of Acquired Brain Injury (OABI). The Texas BIAC files biennial reports with the Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner; and submits a report to the Governor, the Texas Legislature, and the Executive Commissioner regarding its findings and recommendations no later than December 1st of each even-numbered year.

The Advisory Council must seek input from persons who have survived a brain injury, their family members and caregivers, as well as those who provide services and supports that improve outcomes on how to address acquired brain injury as a public health concern in Texas by reducing risks, promoting prevention and the use of effective disease management protocols so that not only are the incidence and prevalence of brain injuries reduced, but also individuals who have survived a brain injury are able to achieve and maintain a high quality of life by accessing the services and supports they need as they heal in their homes and communities.

The HHSC Executive Commissioner and the Department of State Health Services’ Commissioner will appoint members to the Texas BIAC to serve a term of three years.  The Advisory Committee will include key stakeholders as determined appropriate by the Commissioners.  The Texas BIAC must include representatives of each of the following:

One representative from acute hospital trauma units;

One representative from post-acute rehabilitation facilities;

One representative of a long-term care facility that serves persons who have survived a brain injury;

One healthcare practitioner/service provider who has specialized training/interest in the prevention of brain injuries and/or the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of persons who have survived a brain injury;

One representative of an institution of higher education engaged in research that impacts persons who have survived a brain injury;

Four family members actively involved in the care of loved ones who have sustained a brain injury representing diverse ethnic/cultural groups and geographic regions of Texas;

Four service recipients who have survived a brain injury representing diverse ethnic/cultural groups and geographic regions of Texas;

One transition age youth service recipient who has survived a brain injury and is currently between 18 and 26 years old;

One representative from the stroke committee of the Governor’s EMS & Trauma Advisory Council or other stakeholder group with a focus on stroke;

A Texas BIAC member must regularly participate in Texas BIAC meetings and may also have to participate in subcommittee meetings, projects and presentations.  Advisory Council meetings will be held at least four times per year in Austin at the call of the presiding officer.  Texas BIAC members will not receive travel reimbursement or compensation (a stipend) for participation on the advisory council.

How to Apply

If you would like to serve on the Texas BIAC, you can request an application by emailing OABI at oabi@hhsc.state.tx.us.  You must complete and return the application no later than May 12, 2016.

You may submit the application by email, mail, or fax.  Here are the addresses:

Email:  oabi@hhsc.state.tx.us, Attn:  Princess Katana

Mail: Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Office of Acquired Brain Injury, P.O. Box 13247, Mail Code 1214, Austin, Texas 78711, Attn:  Princess Katana

Fax: 512-706-7340, Attn:  Princess Katana

HHSC will notify applicants by June 30, 2016, whether they have or have not been selected to serve as a member of the Texas BIAC.

In selecting members to serve on the Texas BIAC, HHSC considers the applicants’ qualifications, background, and interest in serving on the Advisory Council.  HHSC also tries to choose council members who, as a whole, represent the diversity of all Texas citizens.  For that reason, HHSC considers applicants’ ethnicity, gender, and geographic location.

For more information, contact Princess Katana at oabi@hhsc.state.tx.us.