About Us
Recently, the Florida Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program
has become a Bureau under the State of Florida, Department of Health, Division
of Emergency Medical Services and Community Health Resources. Bureau Chief Thom
DeLilla and several Program Administrators administer
the Program out of Tallahassee. The State is divided into five Regions with
Regional Supervisors overseeing the work of their Staff, which includes Case
Managers, Rehabilitation Technicians, and Support Personnel. Children’s
Medical Services are also aligned with our Program.
What Services
are Provided?
The Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program can provide acute care, inpatient
and outpatient rehabilitation, transitional living services, adaptive equipment,
home modifications, and other services necessary for community reintegration.
Services are provided through state designated and approved facilities. Case
Management is the primary service that is available to assist clients and their
families. Public information, prevention, education and research programs have
been and will continue to be implemented to promote public awareness and reduce
the incidence of brain and spinal cord injuries.
Who is
Eligible for the Program?
Any resident who sustains a brain or spinal cord
injury and who meets the following requirements is eligible:
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Has been referred to the
Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program Central Registry (1-800-342-0778).
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Is a legal resident of Florida.
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Is medically stable.
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Meets state definition for spinal cord and/or moderate to severe
brain
injury.
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Is reasonably expected to benefit from rehabilitation services based on
the goal of community reintegration.
How is the
Program Funded?
The Florida Legislature created the Brain and Spinal
Cord Injury Rehabilitation Trust Fund to provide opportunities for eligible
Florida residents who sustain a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury to
participate in a rehabilitation program. Funds are obtained from a percentage of
civil penalties, surcharges on temporary auto license tags, and driving and/or
boating under the influence. These funds are appropriated to the Brain and
Spinal Cord Injury Program
for the provision of services as a payer of last resort.
What are the Client
and Family Responsibilities to the program?
The Case
Manager will develop an Individual Written Case Service Program with the Client
and/or Family. This plan will include the services that will be provided. The
Client and Family must:
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Be willing to participate in developing the Case Service Plan by making
their needs know to the Case Manager and updating them on any changes.
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Be willing to accept treatment from a state designated facility or
approved program.
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Be willing to assist in paying for the rehabilitation to the best of
their ability and to make efforts to seek additional sources of funding. Some of
these sources are private insurance, Social Security, Supplemental Security
Income, Medicare, and Medicaid. The Case Manager will conduct a financial
review.
How can you be
Referred?
Anyone can refer an Individual with a traumatic brain
or spinal cord injury to the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program Central Registry (1-800-342-0778).
By law, every physician or representative of a
public or private health or social agency is required to report these injuries
to the registry within five days of their occurrence. The
Case is then referred to the Case Manager or Children Medical Services/Brain and
Spinal Cord Injury Program Nurse located nearest to
the Client. The Case Manager will work with the Facility, Client and Family to
determine eligibility for services. The Hospital has the responsibility of
notifying the Case Manager of any changes that would affect medical eligibility.
Through
several new initiatives, particularly the Medicaid
Home and Community Based Waiver, the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program is expanding its range of
services to include long term care supports to ensure the health and safety of
Individuals with traumatic brain and/or spinal cord injuries in their community.
These may include supports such as:
Personal care assistance Adult companion services Life skills training Environmental accessibility adaptation Personal adjustment counseling Community support coordination
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