Appropriations Update
Because of the tight spending climate this year, with regards to programs authorized through the TBI Act, BIAA and other TBI stakeholders have opted to advocate for a five year plan in achieving the full funding of $37 million to provide grants to all states including the District of Columbia, the American Indian Consortium and territories.
Increasing the program by $1 million this year will provide funding necessary to sustain the grants for the 15 states currently receiving funding along with the three additional states added this year and to ensure funding for four additional states. Steady increases over five years for this program will provide for each state including the District of Columbia and the American Indian Consortium and territories to sustain and expand state service delivery; and to expand the use of the grant funds to pay for such services as Information & Referral (I&R), service coordination and other necessary services and supports identified by the state.
BIAA has implemented the same strategy throughout its appropriations platform by asking for incremental increases towards a long-term funding goal, specifically for TBI Act programs:
- $10 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention TBI Registries and Surveillance, Brain Injury Acute Care Guidelines, Prevention and National Public Education/Awareness (an increase of $4 million)
- $8 million for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Federal TBI State Grant Program (an increase of $1 million)
- $4 million for the HRSA Federal TBI Protection & Advocacy (P&A) Systems Grant Program (an increase of $1 million)
With respect to the TBI Model Systems, BIAA is advocating for an additional $1.5 for a total of $11 million in FY 2011, in order to add one new Collaborative Research Project. This moderate increase would go towards the five year goal of $19 million as well as “line-item” status within the broader NIDRR budget.
On January 29, 2010, BIAA and other stakeholders presented appropriations requests to the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, who adopted the plan and is currently garnering support through its membership. BIAA also has met with both House and Senate Appropriations Committee Staff to advocate for these program funding increases.
Look for grassroots action alerts in the coming weeks as the appropriations process moves forward.
