Idaho State University

Summary of Accomplishments

Idaho Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Implementation Grant 2006-2009
Idaho State Action Plan
Grant Team: Russell C. Spearman, M.Ed., Laura J. Tivis, Ph.D. & Beth Hudnall Stamm, Ph.D., Idaho State University Institute of Rural Health

Goal 1: Continue the annual Needs and Resources Assessment

• All data from 2001, 2004-2008 were merged in an Excel database and graphed for use in presentations at the local, regional and national levels.
• Posters were developed and presented at annual TBI Grantee meetings and other venues. One such poster includes all data 2001-2007.
• Presentations were given at the 4th and 5th Pacific NW Brain Injury Conferences.
• A manuscript utilizing a portion of the data was published in Brain Injury.
• Plans are underway for writing and submitting a follow-up manuscript utilizing 2004-2008 (post-baseline) data, allowing the team to examine change in service and support need and life quality among Idahoans with a TBI.
• In addition to paper copies, an electronic version of the N&R assessment was made available via the Idaho TBI-VPC and linked to the ISU-IRH website.
• Over six years, a total of 1004 individuals & family members (28% rate of return) completed a statewide TBI needs and resources assessment. During this same time 576 (13% rate of return) of private and agency providers also completed an assessment.

Goal 2: Sustain the TBI Virtual Program Center (VPC)

• Resources were catalogued for the VPC and organized by life area.
• User statistics evaluated via Urchin software; over 17,000 “hits” since March, 2006.
• Content was refined and updated via Assistguide (a.k.a. AGIS Network) toolbox training
• Extended contract with AssistGuide (a.k.a. AGIS Network) to maintain VPC.
• Presented Idaho’s TBI VPC to Advisory Council members, 21 Telehealth Idaho partners (5 th annual Telehealth Idaho partner’s meeting), and most recently as part of the TBI Virtual Grand Rounds (December 2007).
• Developed a fact sheet on Idaho’s TBI VPC.
• Digitized 50+ hours of live, participant evaluated instruction (2003 to 2007). Copies of PowerPoint handouts were included in the postings.
• Over 200 internet links added, specifically dedicated to needs of Veterans with TBI.
• Continued evaluation of potential permanent placement sites for VPC.
• Continued marketing of the VPC via the Advisory Council members.

Goal 3: Move TBI Advisory Council forward.

• Maintain quarterly (when appropriate) in-person and televideo meetings to facilitate participation and cross-communication among all council members
• Obtain ongoing Advisory Council input on VPC and VGR content, and use of Needs and Resource Assessment data.
• Completion by Council members of self-assessment tool.
• Included representation from Council on statewide seat belt coalition (I-Belt)
• Participation by Council members in annual HRSA TBI Grantee meetings.
• Participating Council members (above) presented ideas/perceptions of meeting and outcomes to non-attending Council members.
• Encouraged Council feedback for improvement to state agency representative responsible for most TBI-related services.
• Encouraged representation on the new Trauma Registry Advisory Committee.
• Ongoing discussion between Council and project team members to discuss the future of this group and its role within an Idaho TBI infrastructure.
• Plans are underway to explore with the Council members (December 2008 meeting) their understanding of the current political climate and their commitment toward securing gubernatorial or legislative authority for the Council.

Goal 4: Advance TBI Virtual Grand Rounds/Educational activities.

• Co-sponsored a conference June 6-7, 2006 on the Behavioral Aspects of Epilepsy.
• Developed a fact sheet for the National Traumatic Stress Network on pediatric brain injury and child trauma
• Provided training to 1,490 individuals, across three states and up to 21 sites.
• Obtained course evaluations from approximately 75% of attendees; 95% of evaluators rated the sessions as “good” to “excellent.”
• Participation by 414 individuals across three states during fall of 2007 in a VGR series devoted to returning Veterans with a TBI.
• The Department of Defense, Deployment Health and Family Readiness Library included Idaho’s Veterans series in its general resources section: http://deploymenthealthlibrary.fhp.osd.mil

• Plans are underway for a second VGR series on veterans and TBI.
• Continued discussion toward technological improvements to facilitate viewing of VGR presentations from home/office (i.e., webcast forum).
• Continue digitization of future presentations for post-hoc viewing via the VPC.

Goal 5: Monitor the implementation of the State Trauma Registry and use of the TBI Medicaid Waiver.

• Provided written comments to the state Medicaid office concerning policy changes to the TBI Medicaid waiver based on the Deficit Reduction Act.
• Sunset provision for Trauma Registry lifted during the FY07 legislative session.