The Brain Injury Association of Texas (BIAA-Texas), is a private, non-profit advocacy organization. As experts on brain injuries and resources for individuals and families, they are able to answer questions about the injuries themselves and the resources available in Texas. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to navigate the red tape, hurdles, and unknowns that come after a catastrophic injury. BIAA-Texas, and it's larger parent organization serving other states, helps families during these difficult times. To speak directly with someone at the BIAA the toll free number is 800-444-6443.
While BIAA-Texas helps families navigate a wide variety of challenges and offers advice on how to access resources, one of the most critical is the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services CRS Program. Created in 1991, this program was developed to give people with brain injuries and spinal cord injuries additional access to rehabilitation, therefore increasing their function and helping many more people with these injuries in the state live independently.
At the time of the CRS Program creation, many people with brain injuries and spinal cord injuries had been living in nursing homes after leaving the hospital, with many people not being given a chance to live more independently. This program was able to start up its work right away thanks to a lucrative funding source, and it began changing lives instantly.
When the CRS Program first started, it was funded by a special surcharge for traffic fines. However, over the years, Texas transitioned to funding the trust fund by adding a surcharge to all felony and misdemeanor convictions in the state. This made it easier for the state to manage the people with these injuries. This trust fund now accrues over $10,000,000 each year because of these fines. Learn more about the Program below.
Eligibility for Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services (CRS)
To be eligible for the CRS program, a person must meet several qualifications. First, you must have sustained some kind of brain injury, not necessarily a TBI. Here are some brain injuries a person can have to make them eligible for the grant: Brain aneurysm, brain tumor, hypoxia, hydrocephalus, meningitis, stroke, or a concussion.
Whatever kind of brain injury, it must substantially impede their ability to function independently. Also, healthcare professionals must agree that the person with the injury will be able to function independently and safely in the community. Thirdly, a person must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Texas for at least six months or have a family member who has lived in Texas for at least six months. They must also be 16 years old at a minimum.
Sadly, since this program is popular, there is a waiting list. Many people wait up to one year for funding to become available despite being deemed eligible. The program serves approximately 450 people each year, helping them with a wide variety of post-acute brain injury rehabilitation and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. And lastly, you must be medically stable enough to receive assistance from the CRS to attend post-acute rehab, etc.
What Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services Provides
The Program provides a wide variety of rehabilitation for people with brain and spinal cord injuries. Each person is assigned a vocational counselor who will make decisions on how funding should be applied to their rehabilitation needs. There are several limits on how much funding can be disbursed. For those who are seeking assistance for inpatient rehabilitation, the maximum number of days this trust fund will provide inpatient rehabilitation is 90 days.
Once discharged, people can receive an additional 120 hours of outpatient therapy that is covered by this program. People can also receive six months of post-acute rehabilitation services. There is however no annual or lifetime cap on the amount of funding each person can receive from this trust fund. The funds are disbursed on a first come first serve basis.
CRS also provides extensive information on brain injuries to the community. Sharing prevention information online and a variety of events throughout the years such as Walks for Brain Injury, Bowling for Brain Injury, and creating brain injury support groups throughout the state. Information on life with a brain injury is also provided by this program. A wide variety of state injury programs, agencies, and services are all covered in large part by this association.
And for people seeking information on housing and transportation after their injury, CRS is also a great help. They offer online guides for educating people on the best places to find accessible housing and transportation in their area after their injuries.
For more information on Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services call 877-787-8999, select a language, and then select Option 3, or visit the website. For questions, contact Linda Jones, the Manager of the Texas Dept of State Health Services. Her e-mail is linda.jones@dsha.state.tx.us.
Acquiring a permanent injury like a brain injury or a spinal cord injury can be one of the scariest things anyone can go through. For those in Texas, the BIAA-Texas is the go-to place to get rid of these feelings and feel warmly supported instead. For questions email info@biausa.org
