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Virginia Brain Injury Council

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History of the Virginia Brain Injury Council (VBIC)

The Virginia Brain Injury Council (VBIC) is a statewide advisory council comprised of consumers (i.e., survivors of brain injury and family members, caretakers, and representatives of survivors); licensed, registered, and certified healthcare professionals; service providers; individuals not affiliated with any brain injury program, state agency representatives; and other ad hoc advisory members. The mission of the Council is to promote accessible, affordable, and appropriate services for Virginians with brain injury and their families by advising the lead state agency for brain injury, the Department of Rehabilitative Services.

The Council was established in 1986 by Eva Teig, then Secretary of Virginia’s Office of Health and Human Resources, in response to a 1985 document entitled the "Report to Secretary Fisher on Head Injury in Virginia" prepared by the Task Force on Head Injury:

”Virginia should establish a permanent entity with legislative/executive authorization to promote and oversee the development of a comprehensive, coordinated system of appropriate programs and services for head injured persons. This advisory/policy body should include influential representation from relevant state agencies, private service interests, and advocacy organizations. This body will continue the work and advance the recommendations of the Head Injury Task Force.” (Section III. Head Injury: Nature of the Problem, G. Recommendations, p. 25)

The initial purpose of the Council was to conduct studies and make recommendations to the Secretary regarding injury prevention and service development for persons with traumatic brain injury:

”The Virginia Council on Traumatic Brain Injury facilitates the development, coordination, and promotion of a comprehensive delivery system that provides a full continuum of services for persons with traumatic brain injury. The Council identifies needs, and develops and presents recommendations for the continued improvement of the delivery system. The system includes research and development, prevention, education, advocacy, and service delivery.”

Since 1998, DRS has been the recipient of three Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Act grants totaling over $900,000 in federal funds. A requirement of the initial TBI Act “Planning Grant” was that a state have or develop an advisory council to oversee grant activities. Fortunately, Virginia has had an active brain injury council since 1986. Other criteria for recipients of federal funding included: a lead state agency for brain injury (DRS); a comprehensive needs assessment (conducted in 1998-2000 using federal “Planning Grant” funds); and a state action plan to develop and enhance services (developed in 2000 using federal “Planning Grant” funds). Through the support and activities of these federal grant funds, along with matching state funding provided by DRS, the Council has matured and become a more focused and effective advisory body.

The Council reports to and advises the DRS Commissioner and presents a verbal annual report to the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council (SRAC), the federally-mandated advisory group to the Department of Rehabilitative Services.

In the 2006 General Assembly, a Senate budget amendment effective July 1, 2006 "...requires the Department of Rehabilitative Services to consider the recommendations of the Virginia Brain Injury Council when allocating new funds for brain injury services.” One of the goals of the Council is to explore the feasibility of seekinglegislation that would establish the Council in the Code of Virginia, mandating its existence and thereby providing continuity and legitimacy to its purpose and work..

In addition to serving in an advisory capacity to Virginia’s federal grant and advising DRS on the dissemination of state funds appropriated by the General Assembly for brain injury services, the Council’s purpose is to advise DRS on the needs of Virginians with brain injury, make recommendations to the Commissioner regarding the development and delivery of brain injury services in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and carry out other duties and activities related to brain injury as requested or approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Rehabilitative Services.

The Virginia Brain Injury Council currently consists of voting and nonvoting members. There are a total of seventeen (17) At-Large Voting Members of Council: thirteen Voting Member positions are appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Rehabilitative Services, through a Nominations and Elections committee process, with final approval and appointment to serve on the Council by the Commissioner. The Commissioner may also designate an additional Voting Member position known as “Commissioner Designee” which is the 14th At-Large Voting Member Position. This brings the total of voting members to seventeen (17).

In addition, there are three Standing Member Positions that are permanent, voting, designated members of the Council and include the following three (3) organizations: the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA); the Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV); and the Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Service Providers (VABISP).

Non-voting positions are filled by state agency representatives and other organizations who are invited to serve on the Council in advisory positions. The total number of non-voting member positions fluctuates but is typically designated as nine positions.

Officer Positions of the Council are filled by soliciting nominations from among Council members eligible to vote. A Nominations and Elections Committee appointed by the chair in July of each calendar year oversees this process. Council meetings are held quarterly and are open to the public.

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Voting Members (Standing and At-large)

OFFICER POSITIONS

VBIC Chair: Anne McDonnell, MPA, OTR/L
(**Standing Member/Chair Term Ends 1/2009)

VBIC Vice Chair: Carole Norton, Ph.D.
(Term ends 3/2010)

VBIC Secretary: Helen Butler, RN
(Term ends 3/2009)

VBIC Immediate Past Chair: Paul Aravich, Ph.D.
(Term ends 1/2009)

STANDING MEMBER POSITIONS

Brain Injury Association of America: Jenny Toth

Brain Injury Association of Virginia: Anne McDonnell,  MPA,  OTR/L

Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Service Providers: Jason Young, MSW

AT-LARGE MEMBER POSITIONS

Individuals who have sustained a brain injury (survivors), family members, caregivers, or representatives of individuals with a brain injury.

Kelli Williams (survivor representative)
(Term ends 03/2010)

Micah Sherman (survivor representative)
(Term ends 03/2010)

Theresa Ashberry (family/caregiver representative)
(Term ends 03/2010)

Mark Salisbury (family/caregiver representative)
(Term ends 03/2011)

Terry Miles (survivor representative) 
(Term ends 03/2011)

Individuals licensed, registered or certified in a health care profession.

Scott Bender, Ph.D.
(Term ends 03/2010)

Victoria Harding, MBA, MS, CCC/SLP
(Term ends 03/2011)

Lisa Garver, MA, NCC, CBIS 
(Term ends 03/2011)

Alan R. Towne, M.D., M.P.H. 
(Term ends 03/2011)

Commissioner's Designee

GiGi Szelesta
(Term ends 03/2011)

NON-VOTING MEMBERS
ADVISORY POSITIONS

Nancy Bullock, RN
Office of Children with Special Health Care Needs
Virginia Department of Health

Julie Triplett
Disability Rights Advocate
Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy

Gerald Showalter, Pys.D.
Brain Injury Services Program
Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center

Patricia Goodall,  Ed.S
Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury Services
Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services

Katherine Lawson
Community Outreach & Program Manager
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities

Russell Payne
Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services

Michelle Nichols
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center
McGuire VA Medical Center

Tia Campbell, RN, BSN, NCSN
Division of Special Education
Department of Education

Paul Sharp, RN, NREMT-P
Trauma/Critical Care Coordinator
Virginia Department of Healt

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BY-LAWS OF THE VIRGINIA BRAIN INJURY COUNCIL

ARTICLE I. VISION

The vision of the Virginia Brain Injury Council (hereinafter referred to as “Council” or “VBIC”) is that Virginians and their families who experience disability due to brain injury will build a quality of life of their choosing.

ARTICLE II. MISSION

The mission of the Virginia Brain Injury Council is to promote accessible, affordable, and appropriate services for Virginians with brain injury and their families by advising the lead state agency for brain injury, the Department of Rehabilitative Services.

ARTICLE III. PURPOSE

1. The purpose of the Virginia Brain Injury Council is to advise the Commissioner of the Department of Rehabilitative Services, the lead state agency for brain injury in Virginia, on the needs of Virginians with brain injury and to make recommendations to the Commissioner regarding the development and delivery of brain injury services in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
   
2. The Council is charged by the Commissioner of the Department of Rehabilitative Services to: 
   1. Provide recommendations to the Commissioner of the Department of Rehabilitative Services on the disbursement of state general funds appropriated for brain injury services, including priorities and criteria for the use of funds;
   2. Serve as the advisory body to Virginia's federal Traumatic Brain Injury Act grant; and
   3. Carry out other duties and activities related to brain injury as requested or approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Rehabilitative Services.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERS

The Virginia Brain Injury Council shall consist of voting and nonvoting member positions as follows:

1. Voting member positions include Standing Members, At-Large Members, and Officers as described below:
   1. Standing Member Positions are permanent, designated members of the Council and include the following three (3) organizations: the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA); the Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV); and the Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Service Providers (VABISP). If a Standing Member is elected to an Officer position, the organization has the option to fill the Standing Member position with a new designee. Standing Members are subject to the termination clause as defined in section C.
   2. At-Large Member Positions are elected by Council members in accordance with Article VI, Section C of these bylaws. The Council shall elect thirteen (13) At-Large Members.
   3. Officer Positions are designated as Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Immediate Past Chair and are elected by Council members in accordance with Article VI, Section D of these bylaws. The Council elects individuals to fill the three (3) Officer positions of Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary from among eligible Council members, while the Officer position of Immediate Past Chair is filled automatically by the Chair whose term is expiring.
   4. Of the eligible voting members of the Council (to include all Standing, At-Large, and Officer positions), thirteen (13) of the positions are designated as follows:
      1. At least four (4) individuals shall be survivors (an individual who has sustained a brain injury), family members, caregivers, or representatives of individuals with a brain injury; and
      2. At least two (2) individuals shall be an individual who has sustained a brain injury.
      3. At least two (2) individuals shall be licensed, registered, or certified healthcare professionals;
      4. At least one (1) individual shall be a licensed, registered, or certified healthcare professional who works in an organization or program that is funded by state general funds;
      5. At least one (1) individual shall be affiliated with a hospital or health-care system;
      6. At least three (3) individuals shall not be affiliated with any specialized brain injury program;
   5. Voting member positions are expected to participate in the work of the Council by serving on at least one standing or ad hoc committee each calendar year.
      
      
2. Nonvoting member positions are established and appointed by the Council and may be added or abolished at any time by a two-thirds majority vote of Council members eligible to vote. Nonvoting members are not designated, but may include state agency representatives (particularly from within the Commonwealth of Virginia, Secretariat of Health and Human Resources); legislators; and other advisory or ad hoc members as determined by a two-thirds majority vote of the Council. Nonvoting members have the ability to nominate At-Large Members and Officers, make motions, and are encouraged to participate in the work of the Council by serving on committees as appropriate.
   
   
3. Termination of membership. Any member (standing, At-Large, or Officer) who misses two consecutive meetings shall be notified by the Chair or designee that his or her membership status is at risk of termination. Any member who misses three (3) consecutive meetings shall be terminated at the third missed meeting. The Chair or designee shall notify the individual by phone or letter that his or her membership on the Council has been terminated.
   

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS

The Officers of the Virginia Brain Injury Council are the Chair; Vice Chair; Secretary; and Immediate Past Chair. The duties of the Officers are as follows:

1. The Chair shall be the principal executive Officer of the Council and will in general oversee and guide its activities. He or she will preside at all meetings and will sign any correspondence related to the business of the Council. The Chair serves as the chief liaison with the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services and will maintain ongoing communication with the DRS Commissioner and other staff as appropriate.
2. The Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in his or her absence or inability to act. The Vice Chair will also perform the duties of the Chair during meetings in which the Chair temporarily recuses him or herself from a specific item of business. When a vacancy for the Officer position of Chair exists mid-term due to resignation or termination, the Vice Chair shall move immediately into the Chair position.
3. The Secretary shall be responsible for all duties incident to the office of Secretary, including scheduling / notification of quarterly meetings and preparation of minutes, reports, and other written correspondence necessary to the business or activities of the Council. The Secretary also serves as the Chair of a Bylaws Committee should one be appointed by the Chair. The Secretary maintains ongoing communication with DRS staff as appropriate.
4. The Immediate Past Chair shall provide consultation and assistance to the newly elected Chair, and also serves as a member of the Executive Committee. The Immediate Past Chair offers his or her knowledge and expertise regarding the operation and activities of the Council.
   

ARTICLE VI. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

1. In July of each year, the Chair will appoint a three or five-member Nominations and Elections Committee from among Council members eligible to vote to fill At-Large and Officer member position vacancies.
   i. Members appointed to the Nominations and Elections Committee must not be eligible for election to an At-Large Member position, unless the member states in writing that he or she will not accept a nomination.
   1. If a member of the Nominations and Elections Committee is nominated for an Officer position and accepts the nomination, the Committee member who is nominated shall be excused from the Officer election process. The Chair will appoint another member to the Nominations and Elections Committee to participate in the Officer discussion and vote, after which the original committee member who was excused from the Officer election process will return to the committee to participate in the At-Large Member election process.
2. Standing Members. Standing members are not elected, but are appointed by the organizations currently designated in these bylaws as the following three standing members: Brain Injury Association of America, Brain Injury Association of Virginia, and the Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Service Providers. An organization designated as a standing member has the right to appoint a representative of its choice at any time to occupy its standing member position on Council.
3. At-Large Members. Nominations for At-Large Member positions are solicited from among voting and nonvoting members of the Council. Election of At-Large Members requires a two-thirds majority vote of Council members eligible to vote. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall submit to Council members a slate of at least two candidates, as feasible, per available position at least ten (10) days in advance of a Council vote to be conducted at the January meeting, or at least ten (10) days prior to the first Council meeting of the calendar year. Approval of the slate of candidates for At-Large Members requires a two-thirds vote of all Council members eligible to vote. Voting may take place at a meeting, or may be conducted via any verbal, written, or electronic means necessary (phone, fax, e-mail, U.S. Mail, etc.). If a vote is not conducted at a meeting, it is the responsibility of the Council member submitting a vote to confirm that the Secretary or designee has received the vote.
   1. The Council approved slate will be presented to the Commissioner, who will approve the final slate within ten (10) days of receipt. The Commissioner may, at his or her discretion, approve candidates for appointment who are not on the Council approved slate. The DRS Commissioner will notify At-Large Members of their appointment to Council which shall be effective at the April meeting.
4. Officers. Nominations for Officer positions are solicited from among Council members eligible to vote. Election of Officers requires a two-thirds majority vote of all Council members eligible to vote. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall submit to Council members a slate of candidates at least ten (10) days in advance of a Council vote to be conducted the October meeting, or at least ten (10) days prior to the first Council meeting of the calendar year.
   1. Election of Officers will be conducted at the October meeting, or at least ten (10) days prior to the first Council meeting of the calendar year, whichever comes first. Voting may take place at a meeting, or may be conducted via any verbal, written, or electronic means necessary (phone, fax, e-mail, U.S. Mail, etc.). If a vote is not conducted at a meeting, it is the responsibility of the Council member submitting a vote to confirm that the Secretary or designee has received the vote.
   2. Officer positions shall be effective at the January meeting, or at the first Council meeting of the calendar year. When a vacancy for the Officer position of Chair occurs mid-term due to resignation or termination, the Vice Chair immediately assumes the position of Chair. The term of the Vice Chair who assumes the vacant position of Chair ends at the original ending date of the vacated Chair’s unexpired term.
   3. When a vacancy for the Officer position of Vice Chair or Secretary occurs mid-term due to resignation or termination, the Nominations and Elections Committee shall solicit nominees from among Council members eligible to vote to fill the vacancy. The Committee shall submit a slate of candidates to the Secretary to be sent to members at least ten (10) days in advance of a Council vote. Election of the Officer positions of Vice Chair and Secretary requires a two-thirds majority vote of all Council members eligible to vote. Voting for Vice Chair or Secretary may take place at a meeting, or may be conducted via any verbal, written, or electronic means necessary (phone, fax, e-mail, U.S. Mail, etc.). If a vote is not conducted at a meeting, it is the responsibility of the Council member submitting a vote to confirm that the Secretary or designee has received the vote.
      

ARTICLE VII. TERMS

1. Other than standing members who have no term limits, no member of the Council may serve for a period of more than nine (9) consecutive years on the Council. However, following an absence of one year, a member shall be eligible for re-election to Council as an At-Large Member. The terms of Standing, At-Large, and Officers are as follows:
   1. Standing Member Positions as described in Article IV of these by-laws are permanent positions on the Council with no limits on length of term. An organization designated as a standing member shall appoint a representative of its choice in January of each calendar year to occupy its standing member position on Council. If a standing member is elected to an Officer position, the organization has the option to fill the standing member position with a new designee.
   2. At-Large Member Positions as described in Article IV of these by-laws serve a three-year term. At-Large Members are not eligible to serve two consecutive terms. Terms of At-Large Members are effective April through March of the calendar year.
      1. If an At-Large Member is elected or appointed mid-term to fill a vacancy caused by resignation or termination, the term of the newly elected or appointed At-Large Member begins immediately upon approval by two-thirds majority of Council members eligible to vote, and ends at the original ending date of the vacated At-Large Member’s unexpired term.
   3. Officer Positions as described in Article V. of these bylaws will serve terms from January through December of the calendar year.
      1. The Chair will serve a two-year term. The Chair is not eligible to serve two consecutive terms. However, when the Vice Chair assumes the Officer position of Chair mid-term, the Vice Chair shall be eligible for re-election as Chair.
      2. The Vice Chair will serve a two-year term. The Vice Chair is not eligible to serve two consecutive terms. When the Officer position of Vice Chair is vacant mid-term due to resignation or termination, the Nominations and Elections Committee shall solicit nominees from Council members to fill the vacancy. The Committee shall submit a slate of candidates to the Secretary to be sent to members at least ten (10) days in advance of a Council vote. Election of the Vice Chair requires a two-thirds majority vote of Council members eligible to vote. The term of the new Vice Chair ends at the original ending date of the vacated Chair’s unexpired term.
      3. The Secretary will serve a one-year term. The Secretary is eligible to serve two consecutive terms. When the Officer position of Secretary becomes vacant mid-term due to resignation or termination, the Nominations and Elections Committee shall solicit nominees from Council members to fill the vacancy. The Committee shall submit a slate of candidates to a designee to be sent to members at least ten (10) days in advance of a Council vote. Election of the Secretary requires a two-thirds majority vote of Council members eligible to vote. The term of the new Secretary ends at the original ending date of the vacated Secretary’s unexpired term.
      4. The Immediate Past Chair will serve a two-year term consistent with the term of the newly elected Chair.

ARTICLE VIII. VOTING

1. Quorum. For the conduct of business, a quorum shall be a simple majority of the total number of Council members eligible to vote and who are present at a meeting. In addition, at least one Officer must be present at the meeting.
2. Voting Privileges. The votes of a majority of Council members eligible to vote and who are present at a meeting shall be necessary for the adoption of any proposal, resolution, or matter of business on which a vote is taken, unless stated otherwise in these bylaws. In addition, the Chair or the Vice Chair must be present at the meeting, unless the Chair may designate that the Immediate Past Chair or the Secretary preside over the meeting.
   1. Standing, At-Large, and Officer member positions are eligible to vote as follows:
      1. Standing and At-Large Members of the Council who attend at least two meetings in person per calendar year are entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members. Standing and At-Large Members may vote by telephonic, electronic, proxy or other means a maximum of two times per year.
      2. Officers of the Council (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Immediate Past President) who attend at least three meetings in person per calendar year are entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members. Officers may vote by telephonic, electronic, or other means a maximum of one time per year, but are not permitted to vote by proxy.
3. Suspension of Voting Privileges... Voting privileges of standing and At-Large Members who do not attend at least two meetings in person per calendar year shall be suspended. Voting privileges will be re-instated to the member at the second meeting attended in person during a calendar year. Voting privileges of Officers who do not attend at least three meetings in person per calendar year shall be suspended. Voting privileges will be re-instated to the Officer at the second meeting attended in person during a calendar year.
4. Voting Methods. Voting by telephonic, electronic, or other means is permitted by all standing, At-Large, and Officer members. Standing and At-Large Members are limited to two (2) votes per calendar year by telephone, electronic, or other means if the vote is taken at a regularly scheduled or special meeting of the Council. Officers are limited to one (1) vote per calendar year by telephone, electronic, or other means if the vote is taken at a regularly scheduled or special meeting of the Council. If a vote of all Council members is conducted by telephone, electronic, or other means, then that vote will not be counted against the standing, At-Large, and Officer members’ limit of votes per calendar year by telephone, electronic, or other means, including proxy votes.
5. Proxy Voting. Standing and At-Large Members unable to attend a meeting in person or via telephonic, electronic, or other means may appoint a representative to attend or participate in a meeting and carry a proxy vote on their behalf. Standing and At-Large Members are limited to a total of two such proxy votes per calendar year. Officers are not entitled to proxy voting.

ARTICLE IX. COMMITTEES

1. The Council may establish or abolish committees with a two-thirds majority vote of Council members eligible to vote. Voting may take place by telephonic, electronic means, or by proxy vote. All committee members and committee chairs shall be appointed by the Chair of the Council, with the exception of the Bylaws Committee which is chaired by the Secretary of the Council as noted in Article V. of these bylaws.
2. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is a standing committee of the Council. The Executive Committee shall consist of all Officers (i.e., Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Immediate Past Chair).
   1. Urgent action, i.e., action required within 48 hours, may be taken at the discretion of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee cannot reverse a Council vote or establish or change Council policy or amend bylaws. Council members shall be notified by mail, e-mail, fax, or other means of written communication or by telephone as soon as practical following the action taken. Action taken by the Executive Committee shall be ratified at the next Council meeting and a written description of the action taken shall be included in the minutes. The Executive Committee is subject to the direction and control of the full Council.
3. Nominations and Elections Committee. In July of each year, the Chair will appoint a three or five-member Nominations and Elections Committee from among Council membership. The Nominations and Elections Committee is responsible for soliciting nominees from Council members to fill At-Large and Officer member vacancies, per the guidelines contained in these bylaws.
4. Bylaws Committee. The Chair may appoint a Bylaws Committee, at his or her discretion, from among Council membership. The Bylaws Committee is responsible for reviewing Council bylaws at the direction of the Chair and recommending additions, deletions, revisions, and other changes to Council membership for adoption, per Article XI of these bylaws.
5. Ad Hoc Committee. The Chair has the discretion to appoint non Council members to ad hoc committees.

ARTICLE X. MEETINGS

1. Regular Meetings of the Council shall be held at least quarterly during every calendar year. It is recommended that meetings be held during the months of January, April, July, and October; however, specific dates, times, and locations are determined by the Chair and a simple majority of Council members eligible to vote. Notice of the date, time, and place of regular or special meetings will be conveyed to members by telephonic, electronic, or other means at least ten (10) days in advance.
2. Special Meetings. The Chair, or a simple majority of Council members eligible to vote, may call a special meeting at any time. Notice of the date, time, and place of regular or special meetings will be conveyed to members by telephonic, electronic, or other means at least ten (10) days in advance.
3. Quorum. For the conduct of business, a quorum shall be a simple majority of the total number of Council members eligible to vote and who are present at a meeting. In addition, the Chair or Vice Chair must be present, or the Chair may designate the Immediate Past President or the Secretary to preside over the meeting.
4. Public Notice and Access. All regular or special meetings of the Council are open to the public and notice of the date, time, and place of such meetings shall be posted publicly at least ten (10) days in advance. However, when the Council determines a legitimate and justified need to go into a closed “executive session,” the executive session is closed to the public for the duration of the “executive session” portion of the meeting only.
5. Attendance. Barring extenuating circumstances or the need for accommodation due to disability, standing and At-Large Members must be present in person at a minimum of two meetings per calendar year; Officers must be present in person at a minimum of three meetings per calendar year. Standing, At-Large, and Officer members, with the exception of the Chair, may request to participate in a meeting via telephonic, electronic, or other means. However, standing and At-Large Members are limited to a total of two such meetings per calendar year; Officers are limited to one such meeting per calendar year.
6. Proxy Voting. Standing and At-Large Members unable to attend a meeting in person or via telephonic, electronic, or other means may appoint a representative to attend or participate in a meeting and carry a proxy vote on their behalf. However, standing and At-Large Members are limited to a total of two proxy votes per calendar year. Officers may not appoint a representative to carry a proxy vote on their behalf.

ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS

These by-laws may be amended or repealed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Council members eligible to vote. Members may vote on by-laws at any regular or special meeting of the Council, or by any written, telephonic, electronic, or other means, if written notice or confirmed e-mail notice via “read receipt” of the proposed changes is provided to all members at least ten (10) days prior days prior to a Council vote. These bylaws were approved by a two-thirds majority of the Virginia Brain Injury Council members eligible to vote on Friday, January 25, 2008.

Helen Butler, RN
January 25, 2008

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Meeting Minutes

2008 Meeting Minutes

• Virginia Brain Injury Council meeting minutes 4/25/08 FINAL
• Virginia Brain Injury Council meeting minutes 7/25/08 draft
• April 25, 2008 Meeting Minutes-DRAFT
• 1/25/2008 Meeting Minutes-FINAL
• 1/25/2008 Meeting Minutes-DRAFT

What's New

2007 Meeting Minutes

• 10/26/2007 Meeting Minutes-FINAL
• October 26, 2007 Virginia Brain Injury Council Meeting DRAFT Meeting Minutes

2004 Meeting Minutes

• July 30, 2004
• April 23, 2004

2005 Meeting Minutes

• April 22, 2005
• October 28, 2005
• January 28, 2005
• July 22, 2005

2006 Meeting Minutes

• October 26, 2006
• July 23, 2006
• April 28, 2006
• January 2006

Meeting Minutes

• July 27, 2007
• April 27, 2007
• January 26, 2007

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Meeting Dates

* All visitors to DRS Central Office must sign in and out at the front desk. Regularly scheduled meetings of the Virginia Brain Injury Council are held on the 4th Friday of the months of January, April, July and October, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Unless otherwise posted, meetings will be held at the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, Central Office, 8004 Franklin Farms Drive, Richmond, VA 23229. Directions are available at the DRS Offices Listing.

Meeting Schedule for 2008

• January 25, 2008
• April 25, 2008
• July 25, 2008
• October 24, 2008

Calendar Agenda Items

Past Meeting Schedules

• View Past Meetings

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Brain Injury State Action Plan in Virginia 2007-2011

The Virginia Brain Injury Council (VBIC) serves as the advisory body to a federal Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Act grant awarded to the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), the lead agency in Virginia for the coordination of brain injury services. A 1998-2000 federal "TBI Act Planning Grant" required DRS to develop an "action plan" to guide the development of brain injury services statewide. DRS, in partnership with the Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health Systems, developed the 2000-2005 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) State Action Plan. DRS received additional funding through a TBI Act "Implementation Grant" and in Spring 2005 formed a Steering Committee to oversee the process of updating Virginia's 2005 Action Plan, one of the goals of the grant. Representatives from the Virginia Brain Injury Council (VBIC), the Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV), the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative (CNI) Trust Fund Advisory Board, and the Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Service Providers (VABISP) developed a work plan to carry out this important activity. The Virginia Brain Injury Council endorsed the Steering Committee's work plan.

During 2005, DRS hosted several Brain Injury Town Meetings across the state and invited survivors, family members, professionals, and other stakeholders to participate. The Town Meeting process allowed facilitators to receive feedback on the development of "core" or foundational brain injury services; to identify and prioritize local service needs; and to share information on developing and enhancing services within a local community. DRS partnered with the Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV) http://www.biav.net and with the VCU Rehabilitation Research & Training Center to conduct the Town Meetings and prepare a report of their findings. The Steering Committee review the findings in 2006 and revised the work plan, which was again endorsed by the Council.

In 2007, DRS invited Susan Vaughn, Director of Public Policy for the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) to provide an overview of other states' actions plans and councils at its January 2007 meeting. DRS also hired Ann Deaton, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist, to research, develop, and prepare a written draft of Virginia's Brain Injury State Action Plan for 2007-2011. The draft Action Plan will be presented to the Council at its April 2007 meeting.

Background information on Virginia's 2005 State Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Action Plan, the Town Meeting process, and a Survey to Gather Data for the Brain Injury State Action Plan in Virginia 2007-2011 are available on the DRS Brain Injury & Spinal Cord Injury Services website at http://www.vadrs.org/cbs/biscis.htm. We have also included a link to the survey here (2007 Survey for Brain Injury State Action Plan) for your convenience.

For additional information regarding the Virginia Brain Injury Council or the 2007 Survey for the Brain Injury State Action Plan in Virginia 2007-2011, please e-mail Kristie.Chamberlain@drs.virginia.gov or call (804) 662-7154 or (800) 552-5019.