Many healthcare professionals and survivors are unaware of the impact of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and how to access available funding resources and treatment within their communities. Persons with TBI are often referred to healthcare providers who lack experience in treating TBI, resulting in an interruption in the continuum of care or leading to misdiagnosis. There are certain marginalized populations who appear to be more vulnerable to TBI than others. This innovative program targeted two marginalized populations: individuals receiving services for intimate partner violence (IPV) and individuals re-entering the community after incarceration. The purpose of this program was to train other professionals to screen and identify individuals with a history of TBI within their respective populations. The program goals were two-fold: develop community partnerships with agencies serving these populations and assist in linking their client populations to TBI treatment. Professionals affiliated with these agencies received psychoeducation about TBI, training on how to screen for TBI, and information on linking appropriate individuals to available funding for TBI rehabilitation. Additionally, the program provided Certified Brain Injury Specialists to meet with individuals at agency sites to assist in applying for funding for brain injury rehabilitation. Preliminary results showed statistically significant improvement in knowledge about TBI and funding for rehabilitation in healthcare and public health professionals after receiving a two-hour training.

Pathways to Recovery: Developing Community Partnerships and Solution-Focused Interventions to Link Marginalized and Underserved Individuals to Brain Injury Rehabilitation.