Arkansas Brain Injury Task Force Reports

by Larry Jameson
(Little Rock)

The Arkansas Brain Injury Task Force, chaired by State Representative Sandra Prater of Jacksonville, presented its report for legislative consideration on Friday morning, November 21.

Arkansas is one of only three states that does not have a state-funded agency for Traumatic Brain Injury. In addition, mortality rates from brain injury in Arkansas exceed the national average.

One contributing factor may be Arkansas' motorcycle helmet law which requires helmets only for those under age 21.

The Task Force wants the state to include a TBI Commission that would work in conjunction with the state's Spinal Cord Commission.

The goals presented in the report are for Arkansas to establish a commission that would:
(1) establish a registry of individuals living with TBI
(2) produce and maintain a website to provide information and referrals
(3) conduct statewide conferences and workshops to provide education and training to TBI stakeholders
(4) be an advocate for TBI survivors

Other goals were listed. The most important was, perhaps, to provide training to healthcare professionals and agency personnel about how to help people living with brain injury.

Representative Prater and other Task Force leaders, Senator Steve Faris, Senator Jack Critcher and Representative Kathy Webb are to be commended for leading Arkansas in the right direction.

Much is needed to be done to provide actual assistance to families in Arkansas needing help with the brain injury lifestyle.