179 Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group program

Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group Program

[37 Pa.B. 603]
[Saturday, February 3, 2007]

   The Bureau of Family Health's (Bureau) Division of Child and Adult Health Services is accepting applications to promote education, greater public awareness and networking for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their family members. Funding for up to $3,500 is available to establish support groups in areas of need or expand existing support groups within the community that focus on TBI as it relates to the individual with TBI or family members. Activities should assist in facilitating a support group in underserved areas or expanding an existing support group. The goal is to promote education and networking at the grass roots level focused on TBI.

   For the purpose of this funding opportunity, TBI is defined as an insult to the brain, not of a degenerative or congenital nature, caused by an external physical force that may produce a diminished or altered state of con-sciousness which results in impairment of cognitive abilities or physical functioning or in the disturbance of behavioral or emotional functioning. These impairments may be either temporary or permanent and cause partial or total functional disability or psychosocial maladjustment.

   Eligible applicants are Commonwealth public and private organizations, foundations or community-based agencies recognized by Federal Tax ID number. Individuals may not apply. Informal groups without Federal Tax ID numbers are encouraged to partner with a sponsor organization who may apply on behalf of the group.

   Project funds must be used to reimburse purchases and activities occurring between January 1, 2007, and March 31, 2007. Applicants may apply for funding to cover multiple purchases/activities, not to exceed $3,500.

   Completed applications will be accepted up to the due date, February 9, 2007. Awards will be made after that date and will be contingent upon the availability of funds and Department of Health (Department) approval. Copies of application forms and other background information are available on the Department's website at www. health.state.pa.us (search word: ''mini-grant'').

   Completed applications will be scored by an independent review panel. Rating factors include the following:

   1.  Estimated numbers of persons benefiting from proposal.

   2.  Reasonableness of expenditures/purchases (with respect to both nature and cost).

   3.  Demonstration of interest/need of a TBI Support Group.

   4.  Descriptions of meeting parameters, group facilitator and marketing for the support group.

   5.  Collaboration plans with other TBI support groups.

   6.  Plans for continuing the support group beyond the project period.

   Applicants will be notified of approval/disapproval in writing within 30 days of the due date. Awardees are expected to abide by the provisions and limitations of the Federal funding source, the TBI Implementation and Partnership Grant.

   To request application materials or for additional information related to this initiative, contact Danielle M. Tedesco, TBI Program Administrator, Bureau of Family Health, Division of Child and Adult Health Services, Health and Welfare Building, 7th Floor East, 7th and Forster Streets, Harrisburg, PA 17120, [phone], fax [phone], [e-mail].

   Persons with disabilities who require an alternative format of this notice or of the application materials (for example, large print, audiotape, Braille) should contact Danielle M. Tedesco in the Bureau of Family Health at [phone] or for speech and/or hearing impaired persons V/TT [phone] or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Services at [phone].

CALVIN B. JOHNSON, M. D., M.P.H.,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 07-179. Filed for public inspection February 2, 2007, 9:00 a.m.]