Bend, OR – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has introduced a new initiative aimed at helping individuals with brain injuries navigate the complex array of services and resources available to them. The Oregon Brain Injury Program, which offers free and confidential support, is available to all Oregon residents affected by brain injuries, including family members and caregivers seeking information and assistance.

With brain injuries becoming more prevalent in the state, the program seeks to address the growing need for specialized support. According to the Oregon Traumatic Brain Injury Safety Dashboard, there were over 38,000 brain injuries requiring hospital or emergency care in 2023, along with 1,177 fatalities. The new program is designed to reduce the burden on individuals and families, providing personalized guidance to ensure those affected can access the appropriate services.

“Oregon’s Brain Injury Program is a significant step toward ensuring people in Oregon are supported at every level of need and through every stage of life,” said Nakeshia Knight-Coyle, Director of the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities. “This program will improve access to services and relieve families from the difficulty of trying to navigate complex systems of care on their own.”

The program operates through four key areas of support:

1. Advocacy – Assisting individuals in advocating for their needs and connecting them with essential resources.

2. Options Counseling – Providing guidance on understanding and comparing available services and programs.

3. Resource Navigation – Helping individuals find the right resources for medical, therapeutic, or social needs.

4. Service Coordination – Ensuring coordinated care by connecting individuals to various service providers.

By offering tailored services, the Brain Injury Program aims to meet the unique needs of each person, ensuring they receive the most relevant and effective support.

One of the core goals of the program is to address the fragmentation of services across different state agencies. In Oregon, case managers and social workers who help guide individuals through the process are in short supply, often leaving people struggling to access the resources they need. The new Brain Injury Program aims to fill this gap by providing centralized assistance and coordinating care across agencies.

“Without a resource like the Brain Injury Program helpline, many individuals struggle to find the services and support they are entitled to. This program was created to address those gaps,” said Jane-ellen Weidanz, Deputy Director of Policy for the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities.

The program’s creation follows the passage of Senate Bill 420 in 2023, a piece of legislation that laid the groundwork for the initiative. David Kracke, Oregon’s Brain Injury Advocate Coordinator at the Center on Brain Injury Research and Training (CBIRT) at the University of Oregon, was instrumental in the development and passage of the bill. “This program is the result of the tireless dedication of hundreds of Oregonians who fought for a better future for brain injury survivors,” Kracke said.

Additionally, Senate Bill 420 calls for the establishment of a Brain Injury Program Advisory Committee, which will provide guidance on the development of programs and services to address the needs of brain injury survivors across the state. The committee will consist of 12 members, including individuals with lived experience of brain injuries, ensuring that the voices of those most affected by the issue are heard. At least one-third of the members will have personally experienced a brain injury. Recruitment for the Advisory Committee is currently open, with applications being accepted from individuals across Oregon.

The launch of the Oregon Brain Injury Program marks an important milestone in improving the state’s response to brain injury, offering hope and vital assistance to those affected by this often-overlooked issue.