Current Policy Priorities
Support Brain Injury Education for First Responders
Categories: Brain Injury, Employment
Train first responders on TBI and PTSD
First responders should be trained on traumatic brain injury (TBI), acquired brain injury (ABI), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individuals with TBI, ABI, or PTSD may have symptoms from their injuries that make it difficult for them to understand and follow directions or communicate clearly with first responders.
- Support the Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Law Enforcement Training Act sponsored by Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.), which would direct the Attorney General to develop crisis intervention training tools for use by law enforcement officers and first responders related to interacting with persons with TBI, ABI, PTSD.
- Require that the training be made available as part of the Police Mental Health Collaboration Toolkit, which is a no-cost online training tool that provides resources for law enforcement agencies partnering with mental health providers to effectively respond to calls for service, improve outcomes for people with mental illness, and advance public safety.
- Authorize an additional $4 million per fiscal year for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program to fund grants to develop and implement this training.
BIAA gratefully acknowledges the Centre for Neuro Skills and Avanir Pharmaceuticals for their support for legislative action.
