Florida

The Client Assistance Program (CAP) can provide information and support to individuals who have questions or complaints about Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services in their state. The CAP program can explain the rights and responsibilities of people receiving services from VR, can mediate disputes between clients and VR, and can advise or assist in filing formal complaints or appeals of VR decisions.

Independent Living Centers are non-residential, private, non-profit, consumer-controlled, community-based organizations providing services and advocacy by and for persons with all types of disabilities. Each ILC offers independent living skills training, peer counseling, and information about services that can assist a person live as independently as possible in the community.

Medicaid provides basic health care for people who have a disability, limited income, or receive certain other government benefits. Medicaid offices offer information on who is eligible and how to apply for Medicaid. In some states, a Medicaid home and community-based services waiver (HCBS) exists, which helps people with brain injury who prefer to get long-term care services and supports in their home or community instead of an institutional setting like a nursing home.

The Protection and Advocacy office works with people with disabilities, including brain injury, to ensure access to appropriate supports and services which can include educational programs, financial entitlements, healthcare, accessible housing, transportation, and employment opportunities. It also works to prevent the abuse, neglect and inappropriate placement of people with disabilities.

State Insurance Departments are state agencies that ensure insurance companies obey all state insurance laws and regulations. They can offer information about insurance laws in the state, and assist consumers in resolving complaints or concerns with insurance companies.

Parent Training and Information Centers help parents of children with disabilities, including brain injury, understand their rights and obtain appropriate services for their children within the school system. Services can include peer to peer support and assistance, advocacy for services, parent or school training, and referral to available community resources.

AMVETS and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) offers information, counseling and claims service to all honorably discharged veterans and their dependents concerning disability compensation, hospi-talization, rehabilitation, pension, education, employment, and other benefits.

Crime victim compensation programs across the country offer crucial financial assistance to victims of violent crimes. This government program is designed to pay for some of the costs that can result from being the victim of a violent crime. This can include payments for some medical expenses, counseling costs, lost wages or burial expenses.

A federal/state program designed to assist people with a disability to return to gainful employment. Individualized services can include assessment, evaluation, career counseling, counseling, job training and job support.

Download this informational fact sheet to learn more about BIF and the occurrence of brain injury in Florida.

If you missed BIF’s Inaugural Educational Conference, you can now take the courses virtually at your convenience, and earn CE/CEUs. Download the flyer to learn more about upcoming opportunities to get your CEUs.

BIF published the most recent edition of their BrainWaves newsletter. This newsletter contains updates from the chapter, resources for the brain injury community and more.