Pediatric Resource Management

1. Pediatric Resource Management Julie Dawning Pediatric Resource Manager Brain Injury Association of Washington May 3, 2012

2. Today you will learn about… • The Brain Injury Association of Washington • The Washington TBI Resource Center • The Washington TBI Resource Line • Statewide Adult and Pediatric Resource Management • The Pediatric Resource Management Program • Outreach Activities • Exciting and Upcoming • Pediatric Brain Injury Support Groups • The Walk, Run & Roll

3. The Brain Injury Association of Washington (BIAWA) Education Advocacy Prevention Support Proud to be 30! • Starting in 1982, with mostly volunteer based support groups and resource line • Now in 2012, 14 professionals with expanded statewide in-person services

4. Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Resource Center • WA TBI Resource Line: • Statewide Toll Free Line 877-824-1766 • 9am-5pm M-F • 115 Calls Per Week • 6,000 Calls Per Year Offering Support, Information & Referrals to individuals through out the state affected by brain injury or interested in learning about brain injury

5. Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Resource Center • In-person Resource Management for adults and pediatric clients with brain injury, their families and caregivers • Covering over 90% of the area where reported TBI occurs

6. Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Resource Center • Pediatric Resource Management began in 2011, as a pilot project of the Brain Injury Association of Washington in collaboration with Harborview Department of Pediatrics and Seattle Children’s Rehabilitation Services • Made possible through donations to the BIAWA and support from the Boeing Employee Community Fund

7. Examples of PRM Services • Assistance with planning and teaming • Helping families identify their areas of need • Next step planning and follow through • Medical follow up, Rehabilitation • Financial, Legal • Educational, Pre-vocational • Adjustment to the disability • Community reintegration • Behavioral, Social relationships • Helping families identify professionals who can help • Our database has over 1100 resources (and adding) and if we don’t find what you need there, we search for it • Helping teams communicate • Attending team meetings • Making sure releases of information are on file as necessary

8. Examples of PRM Services • Assisting with navigating the medical system • Families frequently are discharged without understanding • What treatment was provided in hospital • When they should next see the doctor • What red flags to watch for • What after-care they should give their child, including rehabilitation • Non-English speaking families, even if given an interpreter at the hospital, have a harder time getting their questions answered • Resource Managers may assist with communication by attending appointments, collecting records and making calls

9. Examples of PRM Services • Accessing public assistance and financial aids • Helping families apply for DDD, SSI, food stamps, etc. • Collecting educational and medical records • Helping non-English speaking families with the process • Finding temporary financial aid for housing, utilities, etc. • Connecting families to free medical transportation, air/bus • Encouraging families to request charity care, payment plans • Setting up school supports like free and reduced breakfast and lunch, School Bell, special activity funding, etc. • Referring the family to a lawyer

10. Examples of PRM Services • Assistance with reintegration into school • Advocating for physical and cognitive rest for concussions and mild brain injuries • The brain requires more energy than usual to heal • The brain is less efficient in parsing out energy to the areas that are being used • Energy previously devoted to cognitive tasks may be now used for screening senses and planning motor tasks • Therefore, a healing brain tires more easily • Follow doctor’s orders for gradual return to school and play • The extent of rest required can be monitored by noting symptoms such as fatigue and headaches

11. Examples of PRM Services • Obtaining a504 Plan • The 504 Plan is based on provisions in Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act (1973) • In a school setting, a 504 Plan assures an individual with a disability equal opportunity to access and benefit from the educational program • Contact and meet with the 504 Plan Coordinator prior to return to school • Create a plan that allows safe access and educational benefit while honoring the healing process

12. Examples of PRM Services • Some 504 Plan Ideas • Classroom accommodations • Shortened day • Shortened assignments • Alternate testing formats • Sunglasses or billed cap • Early passing time • Alternate lunch environment • Preferential seating • Services of specialists • School nurse • School counselor • OT, PT, SLP • Para-educator • Special Education transportation • Evacuation plan

13. Examples of PRM Services • Obtaining Special Education • Special Education is based on the Federal law: Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004) and the corresponding State laws • The qualifying disability (TBI) must result in the student needing additional or different services to participate in and benefit from school • The document that outlines services is an Individual Education Plan (IEP) • The goal of Special Education is to prepare the student for further education, employment and independent living • 1) Make a referral in writing; include 504 referral • 2) 25 school days to decide to evaluate • 3) Parent signs consent form • 4) 35 school days to evaluate

14. Examples of PRM Services • Assisting with social skills and behavioral issues • Special Education is designed to address all areas of disability • This includes social/emotional/behavioral issues • School counselors can assist by preparing classmates for the return of a student with a brain injury • Some schools offer social skills curriculums taught in the classroom and practiced in small group settings • Other options: lunch buddies, mentors, alternative roles on sports teams • Church and community groups • If social/emotional/behavioral issues are getting in the way of the student’s benefiting from their education, they may receive Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) in this area

15. Examples of PRM Services • Assisting with social skills and behavioral issues • For students with serious social/emotional/behavioral issues: • Consultation with district behavioral specialists and specialists in brain injury • Placement at specialty schools designed to support their specific needs • Services available in the community • Individual and family counseling • Wrap around services • Professional social skills groups • Specialty camps

16. Examples of PRM Services • The importance of a Neuropsychological Evaluation or Discharge Report from a Rehabilitation Department • If an inpatient Rehabilitation Department has instructors, they may have already assessed the student and created recommendations for return to school • Make sure these specialists are part of the team • If no recommendations from specialists in TBI are available, request that the school district pay for an Independent Evaluationby a neuropsychologist familiar with brain injury

17. To improve PRM services, if you have something to share… • Personal examples of unmet needs • Names of professionals who helped you • Contact Julie at: • 206-897-6353 • julied@braininjurywa.org

18. Outreach Activities To increase public awareness and knowledge about brain injury,BIAWA: • Participates in Conferences and other Community Events • Provides trainings • Website, Facebook, Twitter, Billboards, Radio

19. Exciting and Upcoming Pediatric Brain Injury Support Groups • In collaboration with HeadStrong and Seattle Children’s Hospital • Parent/caregiver group for sharing, learning and support • Child/youth group for fun social activities

20. Exciting and Upcoming The Walk, Run & Roll • Magnuson Park, July 29, 2012, 8:00 AM • Register on-line or pick up a pamphlet at the BIAWAbooth

21. Contacts Washington TBI Resource Center 877-824-1766 Brain Injury Association of Washington 877-982-4292 www.braininjurywa.org www.facebook.com/braininjurywa Julie Dawning Pediatric Resource Manager 206-897-6353 julied@braininjurywa.org