In the state of Alaska, one of the most important programs for people with brain injuries is the Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury Program (TABI). Created in 2003 thanks to an advisory board created by the Alaska Dept of Health and Social Services, which then advocated for the program's creation, a bill was soon passed to fund this important program that helps Alaskans with brain injuries be as independent as possible in their community.
That Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury Program is critical to connecting Alaskans to critical services. Other than awarding Alaskans with brain injuries grant money, one of its biggest roles is case management, which we will discuss in more detail below. If you live in the state of Alaska and have a brain injury, look no further than the Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury Program to help you in a myriad of ways. Learn more about this program below.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury Program, you will need to verify you have a traumatic/acquired brain injury by showing the state a verification of your diagnosis (signed by your medical provider), which must be included in the grant paperwork sent to the Alaska Brain Injury Network. Your paperwork must also include price quotes for the services you’re requesting and you must be a resident of Alaska and be at least 18 years old.
You can fax your application to 907-274-2826, attention "TABI Mini-grant" or mail to Alaska Brain Injury Network, 121 Fireweed Lane, #175, Anchorage, AK 99503. Links to the Mini-Grant Application can be found here: http://dhss.alaska.gov/dsds/Documents/tabi/TABI-MG-application.pdf. The Verification of Diagnosis form can be found here: http://dhss.alaska.gov/dsds/Documents/tabi/TABI-VOD.pdf. Make sure your applications are received by the last business day of each month.
Case Management with TABI
For those who are deemed eligible for services from the Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury Program, one of the most important services it provides is case management. Case management provided by TABI is how people with brain injuries are able to connect with the services they need, as well as receive help signing up for these services and monitoring if the services they’re using are helping them in the long-term.
When working with case managers, individuals can meet with their case manager either in person, over the phone, or via zoom. Case managers with TABI however are not direct service providers. Instead, they are someone who helps individuals connect with the health and social resources they need to be as independent as possible.
There are three provider agencies in Alaska that provide case managers. They are Access Alaska, Day Break, and Maniilaq Association. If you are unsure which provider agency to contact, follow this link to discover the provider agency for your area: http://dhss.alaska.gov/dsds/Documents/tabi/TABICaseManagementProvidersList.pdf
TABI Mini-Grants
Outside of case management, mini-grants are one of the biggest services the Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury Program provides to Alaskans with brain injuries. These mini-grants pay for a wide variety of services and supplies such as medical services not covered by insurance like vision, hearing, psychological testing, medication, occupational, physical, and/or speech therapy, and mobility equipment.
Dental care and supplies, assistance with rent and housing deposit, utility bills (heating or electricity), costs for employment-related services, and lastly, and other equipment or services that will help the applicant become more independent are also provided. Applicants can receive a maximum of $2,500 per year, or a maximum of $5,000 every 5 year period.
And lastly, much needed virtual peer support groups are available through the Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury Program. The group meets weekly each Tuesday over Zoom. Email info@accessalasks.org to register. The virtual peer support group provides an indelible resource for learning from one another and for sharing tips and tricks for thriving with a brain injury in Alaska.
- Learn more: Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury Program (alaska.gov)
