• In accordance with Assembly Member Monning's bill, AB 398: on January 1, 2010 we welcomed the seven California Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program service providers. The bill passed last summer. (Senator Mark Leno & Assemblyman Bill Monning)
• The transition of the TBI Program to the Department provides a unique opportunity for collaboration to build the future of services in California for persons with TBI and their families.
• The TBI Program is housed in our Independent Living and Assistive Technology Section and they are working with the Collaborative Services Section, the Department of Mental Health, service providers, consumer groups, and stakeholders to facilitate a smooth transition.
• Our Collaborative Services Section is also working to make available ARRA funds to the 7 TBI service providers.

In 2007, one of the first meetings I had as Director was with the Traumatic Brain Injury Services of California (TBISCA) and they openly shared their desire to move the TBI program from DMH to DOR. It took two years of active stakeholders advocating for the move and today we are happy to make the program's home here at DOR. I know first hand when I worked at the ILC how difficult it is to serve folks with TBI, and services in most regions of the state are scarce. I am hopeful that by the program residing here at the Department of Rehabilitation, we can offer additional services that ease people with brain injuries in the world of work as the TBI providers bolster their independence.

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