UF experts and Brain Injury Florida launch state’s new brain injury action plan

Nearly 1 million Floridians are living with the effects of brain injury, and for many, access to rehabilitation and resources is a challenge.

Now, experts from the University of Florida’s Brain Injury, Rehabilitation, and Neuroresilience Center and partners at the advocacy group Brain Injury Florida are taking a big step to address this issue. Together, they have created the new Florida Brain Injury Action Plan — a comprehensive roadmap to raise awareness, enhance services and improve quality of life.

“This plan is the result of a truly collaborative effort between survivors, caregivers and experts in the field,” said Michael Jaffee, M.D., director of the UF center, known as the BRAIN Center, and chair of the UF College of Medicine’s Department of Neurology. Dr. Jaffee also serves on the national board of the Brain Injury Association of America, where he helps guide national policy and advocacy initiatives.

The plan, funded by a grant from the Administration for Community Living Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Grant Program, addresses the full spectrum of brain injuries, from trauma (falls, car accidents, sports) and other causes (stroke, tumor, infection, oxygen deprivation).

“For too long, Floridians living with brain injuries have faced fragmented care and limited resources,” said Drew Nagele, PsyD, ABPP, CBIST-AP, Vice President of Brain Injury Florida, the state affiliate of the nonprofit Brain Injury Association of America. “This action plan is a transformative step toward creating a more coordinated and responsive system that truly meets their needs. We look forward to partnering with stakeholders across the state to bring this vision to life.” 

As part of the effort, a new statewide Brain Injury Advisory Council made up of survivors, caregivers, providers and advocates helped shape the vision and priorities of the plan. The University of Florida, as Florida’s lead state agency for brain injury, played an essential role in the development and coordination of the plan to ensure alignment with statewide systems and public health priorities.

“With a focus on quality of life, education and service system enhancements, we are working toward a stronger, more supportive future for all Floridians impacted by brain injury,” said Denny Armington, President of Brain Injury Florida. 

 

Strategic Priorities for Lasting Impact

The Florida Brain Injury Action Plan was built around three key strategic priorities that reflect the most pressing needs of the Florida brain injury community:

1️. Improve Quality of Life: Floridians with brain injuries require a multifaceted approach that addresses social integration, emotional wellbeing, education, employment, self-advocacy and transportation access. By strengthening community-based support systems, promoting educational and vocational opportunities, and improving access to essential services, the plan seeks to support more interdependent and fulfilling lives.

2️. Education and Awareness: Raising awareness about brain injury across audiences —including survivors, families, healthcare professionals, policymakers and the public — is critical for fostering understanding and improving access to care. The plan includes a comprehensive education strategy to ensure Floridians affected by brain injury receive the support and information they need.

3️. Service System Enhancements: Strengthening Florida’s brain injury service system involves policy advocacy, expanded insurance coverage, improved data collection and broader provider networks. These efforts aim to enhance access to rehabilitation services and improve coordination among state agencies, health care providers and advocacy organizations.

Implementation Through Workgroups

To support implementation, the Statewide Brain Injury Advisory Council has established workgroups for each of the three strategic priorities. These workgroups will develop specific, actionable strategies, engage key stakeholders and community partners, monitor progress, and adapt to evolving needs and best practices.

Join the Conversation: Statewide Webinar on June 24

A statewide webinar will be held at 4 p.m. (EST) Tuesday, June 17 to present the plan and invite public engagement. Participants will learn about the plan’s priorities, workgroups and how to get involved.

📅 Register for the webinar here: bit.ly/4iQkreG

To view the Florida Brain Injury Action Plan, visit bit.ly/4bUrgcH.