North Dakota Brain Injury Advisory Council Set to Meet

 

According to the North Dakota Brain Injury Network, an estimated 13,000 North Dakotans are currently living with a long-term disability from a traumatic brain injury.

The state’s Brain Injury Advisory Council, which advises the North Dakota Department of Human Services on brain injury services and supports and works to improve the quality of life of individuals with brain injury and their families through public awareness, prevention, research, education, collaboration, support services and advocacy will meet Friday, Aug. 16, 1-4:30 p.m. at HIT Inc.’s office at 2640 Sunset Dr., in Mandan.

This is the council’s first meeting since state lawmakers approved Senate Bill 2027 changing the definition of brain injury in North Dakota to include all types of brain injuries, except for those that are degenerative or present at birth (congenital). This is significant because services previously focused on individuals with traumatic brain injuries can now also benefit those affected by stroke or other types of brain injury.

Members will hear an update on recent state legislation relevant to brain injury. Subcommittees working on continuum of care and education and awareness efforts will provide updates. Representative from North Dakota’s Department of Human Services and Department of Health will report on related agency activities. At the end of the meeting, council members will share updates, and members of the public will have the opportunity to comment.