Press Release


October 22, 2007

Acquired Brain Injury the Topic For Upcoming Public Meetings

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Gary Wolcott, Program Manager
Brain Injury Services
Phone: (207) 287-4242
or
John Martins, Director
Employee and Public Communications
Phone: (207) 287-5012

AUGUSTA – Public meetings have been scheduled in early November to learn more about the unmet needs of people with brain injuries in Maine.

The Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council will host meetings at Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center on Tuesday, November 6 and at the Department of Health and Human Services, 161 Marginal Way in Portland on Thursday, November 8. Both hearings begin at 4 p.m.

“The goal is to gather information from persons with brain injuries, their families, rehabilitation experts, providers of services and the public,’’ said Gary Wolcott, Brain Injury Services Program Manager at the Office of Physical and Cognitive Disabilities Services at DHHS. “If people cannot attend, we welcome written comments through November 9.”

Written comments should be forwarded to the Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council, Attention: Deb Caron, Brain Injury Services, OACPDS/DHHS, 11 State House Station, 2nd Floor Marquardt Building, Augusta, ME 04333. They can also be e-mailed to Deborah.E.Caron@maine.gov .

The Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council, established by the Legislature, has set the following priorities for 2007-2008:

Prevention of brain injuries;
 Education and training of service professionals;
Case management/care coordination for persons with brain injury;
 Support for family caregivers, in-home support and supported living apartment services;

Services and support for returning veterans;
 Strengthening of existing neurorehabilitation clinics and programs;
* Opportunity for persons placed out-of-state or in nursing facilities to return home

For further information please contact Gary Wolcott, Program Manager, Brain Injury Services, at (207) 287-4242.