Welcome to the DevelopmentalDisabilities Division’s (DDD) combinednews bulletin with information fromDivision Administration, Case Management and Information ServicesBranch, and Disability Supports Branch(Neurotrauma). The DDD newsbulletin is a means to communicateDivision happenings.

DEVELOPMENTALDISABILITIES DIVISIONB U L L E T I NSpring~Summer 2007http://www.hawaii.gov/health/disability-services/developmental/current-dddbulletin.pdf

The mission of the Developmental Disabilities Division is to assure community basedsupports and services for persons with developmental disabilities through the principlesof self-determination and person-centered planning.

IN THIS ISSUE:2007 Legislative Session Developmental

Disabilities Related Measures . . . . . .1Who’s Who? And Who’s New? . . . . . . .2An “Act of Aloha” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Outstanding Employees Honored . . . .6How To Get Out Of A PICL . . . . . . .6

Sunny Buddies Spring Get Together . . .7Sunny Buddies President Receives

Community Service Award . . . . . . .8Hit The Beach This Summer . . . . . . .9Be Prepared: Pandemic Flu–A Different

Type of Disaster Preparation . . . . .10Consumer Directed Services

Popular Choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Congratulations, Monica Oliveros . . .12TBI Grant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Brain-Injury Survivors Risk Epilepsy . .13Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13March Was Brain Injury

Awareness Month . . . . . . . . . . . .13What’s Happening? . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

DEVELOPMENTALDISABILITIESDIVISIONSPRING~SUMMER 2007BULLETIN

Editorial Staff

DDD AdministrationPhone: (808) 586-5840David KannoEmail: david.kanno@doh.hawaii.gov

Case Management & InformationServices BranchPhone: (808) 733-9191Gail YuenEmail: gail.yuen@doh.hawaii.gov

Disability Supports BranchPhone: (808) 453-6301Lester MatsumotoEmail: lester.matsumoto@doh.hawaii.gov

2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSIONDEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

RELATED MEASURESAct Number Bill Number Description

040 SB 820 Extends the repeal date of Act 303, Session SD1 Laws of Hawaii 2006, relating to

community residential alternatives forpersons with developmental disabilities,from June 30, 2008 to June 30, 2009.

051 SB 1457 Appropriates $4,980,523 in general fund SD2 HD2 revenues and $4,111,237 from the DD

Interdepartmental Transfer Fund as anemergency appropriation to enable the DDD meet state-approved target numbers underthe current Medicaid home and community based service and ensure the receipt offederal Medicaid reimbursements.

096 SB 1182 Establishes a needs allowance for residentsSD2 HD2 CD1 of care homes and long-term care facilities.

237 HB 928 Increases state supplemental payments for HD1 SD2 CD2 certain domiciliary care (establishes funding

for SB 1182).

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Legislative Sessioncontinued from page 1

WHO’S WHO? AND WHO’S NEW?Joanne HaoDD/MR Compliance Officer

Major duties are to ensure compliance with federal regulations and to anycourt settlement agreements and court orders. Her primary functions are towork with the Department of Attorney General, and other external agencies,to plan, develop, track and ensure the implementation of the various activitiesrequired by court settlement agreements and court orders and to comply withfederal regulations as HIPAA and applicable Code of Federal Regulations(CFR) requirements.

Jennifer ErnstHealth Outcomes Specialist

Major area of responsibility is to oversee the quality improvement activitiesfor health outcomes for the Developmental Disabilities Division. Desiredhealth outcomes include the promotion of health and well-being and theprevention of diseases for the Division’s target populations of developmentaldisabilities/mental retardation and neurotrauma. This position will identifystrategies for the prevention and treatment that will work for the Division’starget populations, and shall work collaboratively with public and privateagencies to address the health care needs of the target population for qualityhealth care.

Act Number Bill Number Description

259 HB 833 Exempts recipients of social service payments from the scope of employment related laws;HD2 SD2 CD1 defines “recipients of social service payments” as it relates to chapters 383, 286, 392, and

393, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Requires the Department of Labor and IndustrialRelations to report on the financial impact and consequences of the employmentexclusions for service providers who provide Medicaid home and community-basedservices for persons with developmental disabilities and mental retardation.

SR 143 Requesting the Departments of Health and Human Services to collaborate and apply fora Federal Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver.

Died * SB 815 Appropriates funds for a coordinator and operating expenses to support a statewideSD1 self-advocacy network for individuals with developmental disabilities.

* Although this bill died in committee, dollars were inserted in the Developmental Disabilities Council’s budget for acoordinator and operating expenses for the purposes of this bill:

FY ‘07: $44.6 FY ‘08: $70.6

Died ** HB 208 Appropriates moneys to fund operations of developmental disabilities domiciliary homesSD1 homes and apartment complexes for persons with developmental disabilities.

** Although this bill died in committee, $1.8 million was inserted into DDD’s budget for the purposes of this bill.

continuted on page 3Jennifer

Joanne

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Kevin

Jean

Sherry

Sherry HesterDDD’s Clinical Administrator

Primary job responsibility is the development of the Central Intake andClinical Office at the Division level. This office will be responsible forprocessing and review of all applications to the DDD based on clear DDeligibility and the establishment of a clinical interdisciplinary team.Additionally, Sherry will be leading a group to develop Utilization Reviewpolicies and processes, and also to serve as team leader for Quality Assuranceand Improvement.

Jean LukaWaiver Administrator

Area of responsibility is the Home & Community-Based Waiver whichincludes, but is not limited to, implementation, interpretation, amendmentsand researching other state’s waivers. Always within state and federalguidelines and framework, she will also look at creative ways to encourage andenhance consumer choice. Jean works with the Advocacy Implementationgroup, moving forward on several of the initiatives that were developed priorto her tenure.

This is Jean’s second tour of duty at the Division; she was last here in 2002.Now married with a soon-to-be four year old, she’s happy to see oldcolleagues/friends and looks forward to servicing the constituency.

Kevin DierksCase Management and Information Services Branch, Branch Administrator

Kevin has worked in the area of developmental disabilities for the last 15years in just about every capacity imaginable, from a classroom aide, toprograms manager, to research, training, policy development, and in 2000, acase manager in Unit 1. He is very proud to be part of the creation of theSelf-Advocate Advisory Council, a recent effort to help a group of self-advocates begin an advisory body that is 100% self-advocate lead andgoverned. Everyone has the right to self-determination, the right to directtheir resources, and the right to make choices about how they will live theirlife. Kevin envisions a support system where people with developmentaldisabilities have the same choices, opportunities, and challenges as everyoneelse in Hawaii.

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Who’s Who?continued from page 2

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AN “ACT OF ALOHA”By Evan Matsushima, Case Management Unit 4

The message was simple butheartfelt. It was a thank you forremembering them and for caring. Itcame from the men and women ofthe Hawaii Air National Guard whowere serving our country in Iraq andAfghanistan during the 2006Christmas holidays.

Their expressions of appreciationwere for the large holiday boxes thatwe sent to them. The boxes wereliterally stuffed with hand crafted

Christmas cards, personal thoughtsof support, and a huge assortment ofsnacks with a “local” flavor that theyhad just received. Approximately 50self advocates, together with theirfamily members, friends, communityvolunteers, business supporters,University of Hawaii School ofSocial Work graduate students andCase Management Unit 4 staff, hadpooled creativity, time, space andresources to send a message to theseguardsmen and women from Hawaii.

We wanted them to know howproud we were and how much weappreciated their commitment toserve our country. And we lookforward to their safe return home.

The hand crafted Christmas cardswith personal messages were theresult of efforts from gatherings ofdiverse groups of people from thecommunity. Groups met and

Jocelyn AbanesDisability Supports Branch, Branch Administrator

Manages the statewide public health program at the Disability SupportsBranch relating to Neurotrauma Supports, Certification and ProgramMonitoring, Community Training and Quality Assurance, and ConsumerServices Office. Responsibilities include developing and implementingpolicies and procedures for the branch; planning, coordinating, directing andevaluating program services; preparing program plans and evaluations,including budgeting and staffing requirements; and performing other relatedduties.

Who’s Who?continued from page 3

Men and Women in Iraq

(continued on page 5)

Jocelyn

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Thank You Note from Afghanistan

Act of Alohacontinued from page 4

created cards at Hawaii Centers forIndependent Living in Hau’ula, aspecial education class at KailuaHigh School, a KamehamehaSchools preschool class, Easter SealsADH at Central Union and in anumber of family homes throughoutthe Windward Coast of Oahu.

Simultaneously, communityvolunteers worked hard to solicitdonations from various businessentities such as Tomoe and Taiyo,Inc. who generously donated largequantities of island snacks such asarare, instant saimin and packets ofshoyu. Equally generous, individualdonations of assorted food and goodswere received.

On December 1, 2006, communityvolunteers joined hands with self-advocates, their families and friends

at the Key Project in Kahaluu,which provided us with itsrecreation hall at no cost. In a longassembly line, a total of 15 largecardboard boxes were filled with“local” treats, cards and personalmessages of support. Theatmosphere was filled with positivespirit, energy and laughter. Becauseof our common goal, everyone easilyworked together with meaning,purpose and great result.

The boxes were finally secured, postmarked and mailed to theirrespective destinations. CMU 4unanimously agreed to use the cashaward received for the State Team ofthe Year to pay for the sizeablepostage on the boxes.

Shortly thereafter, we receivedcommunication by e-mail, hand

written letters and cards of thanksfrom the soldiers. Each messagerecognized the time and effort spentto put together the holiday boxeswith expressed appreciation for thesnacks. But they especially treasuredthe warm messages of support in thecards they received from home.

In retrospect, from the feedback wereceived from almost every projectparticipant, it was the common goalof “giving thanks” that made thiscommunity project so special. Oneparent captured the spirit andessence of our project. Shedescribed our collective effort as an“act of aloha”.

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OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES HONOREDDevelopmental Disabilities Divisionemployees who excelled atleadership, teamwork and publicservice over the last year wererecognized on June 7 at theDepartment of Health’s 2007Employee Incentive and ServiceAwards ceremony at the StateCapitol Auditorium.

The Incentive and Service AwardsProgram is the best opportunity toprovide recognition for employees

Services Branch include Dale(Kehau) Kanae, Lynn Murakami-Akatsuka, and Ellen Sumida.Monica Oliveros of the DisabilitySupports Branch and CharlotteKaneko and Suzette Naito of theKauai District Health Office werealso awardees. Mahalo for yourdedication and commitment to theDivision and to the people of thestate of Hawai`i.

who have established a record ofsustained superior performance.Subordinates, peers and supervisorscan nominate those whodemonstrate superior service.Nominations were reviewed by theIncentive and Service AwardsCommittee and organized by theDepartment of Health PersonnelOffice.

Employees from the CaseManagement and Information

Left to Right: Kehau Kanae, Charlotte Kaneko, Lynn Murakami-Akatsuka, Ellen Sumida, Suzette Naito

Robert Rivera, Jr.

HOW TO GET OUT OF A PICLBy Laura Kinkley, Case Management Unit 1

Robert Rivera, Jr, is a very specialyoung man who lives with hismother in a small apartment onLunalilo Street. Robert has cerebralpalsy and uses a wheelchair to assistmobility. He is learning to advocatefor himself.

Robert’s goal is to be healthy. Lastyear, when his name came up on thePartnerships in Community Living(PICL) list, he took theencouragement from his mother andDOH case worker, and with the

money he received, paid for a fitnessclub membership. Luckily, at thattime, 24-Hour Fitness had a special“Life-Time Membership” offer at avery reasonable cost.

Today, Robert is full of energy,determined to stay fit as hecontinues to get healthy. He worksout regularly at 24-Hour Fitness andreceives training from staff in asupportive environment. Recently,

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Robert Rivera, Jr.continued from page 6

his doctor told him he got an “A” onhis lab results (Robert has a historyof high blood pressure and highcholesterol). On top of that, hismother said that he has more self-esteem and self-confidence since hestarted with his exercise regime.Now he is not afraid of gettinginvolved with his church’s choir —he gets up on the stage and sings.

He is also not afraid of speaking inpublic like he was before.

In addition, his mother reports thathis memory has improved — heremembers more now. With all thepositive benefits from a healthy lifestyle, the most significant thing isthat his relationship with his motherhas improved and he has a morepositive attitude. “I feel great. I’mso proud of myself,” he says.

The PICL Program allows Robert tochoose a new level of communityinvolvement. Working out, gettinghealthier, and having a betterrelationship with his mother are allpart of a new life, and living adream. With his membership at 24-Hour Fitness, Robert can train atany of the 24-Hour Fitness locationsin Hawaii and on the mainland.Today, it’s all about improving hishealth — a goal that most of usshare.

SUNNY BUDDIES SPRING GET TOGETHER

The Sunny Buddies highlight of theyear was the Spring Fling held onMay 4 at the Waikiki Aquarium.Buddies, their families and guestsenjoyed a hearty dinner, games suchas “Guess What’s In The Bag” andguess the number of M&Ms in thejar, as well as other activities such asface painting, decorating jewelryboxes, viewing the Aquarium’smarine life, and getting to knowothers.

One of the activities that broughtdelight and captured hearts was themagnet-framed photos to hang onrefrigerators. Buddies had theirphotos taken together to mat with

frames they decorated. Individualswere proud of their work and happyto take home a treasured memory ofthe evening.

Sunny Buddies strives to fostermeaningful friendships betweenindividuals with intellectualdisabilities and volunteers.Individuals with intellectualdisabilities who are interested inparticipating in Sunny Buddiesshould contact their case managersfor referrals to the program. Formore information or to get involved,contact Gail Yuen at 733-9191 or e-mail at gail.yuen@doh.hawaii.gov.

Guessing the number of M&Ms in the jarGetting food at the buffet table

Guessing what’s in the bags

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Sunny Buddiescontinued from page 7

Viewing the marine life inside theAquarium Showing off their prized framed photos

SUNNY BUDDIES PRESIDENT RECEIVESCOMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Sunny Buddies is an all-volunteerorganization and a viablecommunity resource for individualswith intellectual disabilities. Itsoutgoing President, Catherine Ho,received two 2007 John A. BurnsSchool of Medicine ConvocationAwards given to outstandingstudents. The first is the E.E. BlackCommunity Service Award. Itrecognizes a senior for academicexcellence and community servicefrom funds contributed by the lateMr. Everett Earl Black, a well-known contractor and developer,whose many projects included theconstruction of the BiomedicalSciences Building on the Universityof Hawaii Manoa campus.

Catherine has been the SunnyBuddies President the past year andserved as Secretary/Treasurer andVice President the previous twoyears. She has encouraged medicalstudents to become Sunny Buddies,has promoted community service tostudents, and has been involved in

many community service projects.

Diane Lew and Catherine have beenbuddies since the start of Catherine’s

first year in medical school. For fouryears, Catherine has been adedicated volunteer, friend, and“Angel Sister,” on outings that werespecial treats for her and Diane.Other Sunny Buddies volunteerswho are enjoying their lastingfriendships with individuals withintellectual disabilities for four yearsor more are Kevin Kitagawa, KoryKitagawa, Herbert Lau, and Jill Ono.

Catherine was also the recipient ofThe Society of AcademicEmergency Medicine Award,presented in recognition ofexcellence in emergency medicine.The Society represents academic andresearch pursuits of the AmericanCollege of Emergency Physicians.During her years as a medicalstudent, Catherine interned on anambulance. She will be going toUCLA to do residency in InternalMedicine and Emergency Medicine.Aloha, mahalo, and good luckCatherine.

Buddies Diane Lew (left) andCatherine Ho (right)

Beach Mats alsoprovide anaccessible meansof sand mobility.They are designedfor high trafficpublic use areas toassist with anyonewho has troubleaccessing theocean due to sand

or uneven surfaces. The mats are in place on the beachnear both concession stands at Ala Moana Beach Park,Kailua Beach near the canoe halau and Lanikai boat ramp,Waimanalo Bay camping side and Waimanalo Beach nearthe comfort station. The beach mats provide a smooth, flatsurface across the sand to the water’s edge. How close tothe water’s edge will depend on how high the tide is at thetime. Since they only go to the high tide mark, at KailuaBeach they go to just a look out point because of thefluctuation of the sand there.

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HIT THE BEACH THIS SUMMERWant to enjoy the sun and water this summer? If beingin a wheelchair is preventing you from going to thebeach, then hit the beach at several island-widelocations and try out the Landeez All-TerrainWheelchair.

The Wheelchair was designed specifically to enablepeople who use wheelchairs to roll easily over sand. Itis available seven days a week for persons withdisabilities through the Department of Parks andRecreation at the following locations, FREE of charge:

Ala Moana Beach Park1201 Ala Moana Blvd.Diamond Head and Ewa Food Concessions

(at each end of the park)Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Phone: (808) 949-2500

San Souci (Waikiki)2863 Kalakaua AvenuePartnership with the New Otani Kaimana Beach HotelHours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Phone: (808) 923-1555

Fort DeRussy (Waikiki)On Fort DeRrussy Beach off of Kalia Rd.Partnership with Prime Time SportsHours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Phone: (808) 949-8952

Hanauma Bay Nature Park7455 Kalanianaole HighwayPark hours: Winter – 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.Summer – 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.Wednesday through Monday (Closed Tuesday)24 Hour information line: (808) 396-4229

Kualoa Regional Park49-479 Kamehameha HighwayHours: Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Phone: (808) 237-8525Please call to make prior arrangements.

Kailua Beach Park526 Kawailoa RoadHours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.Friday 9:00 a.m. - 12 noonPhone: (808) 233-7300Please call to make prior arrangements. You must pick upwithin 15 minutes of scheduled time.

Pokai Bay Beach ParkWaianae Army Recreation Center85-010 Army Street, WaianaeHours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Phone (808) 696-6783 ext. 0Please call to make prior arrangements.

Beach Mat at Ala Moana Park

Landeez All-Terrain Wheelchair

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BEING PREPARED: PANDEMIC FLU – A DIFFERENT TYPEOF DISASTER PREPARATION

by Lynn Murakami-Akatsuka, MPH, CHESCMIS Branch Planner

Hawaii residents are being asked toprepare for pandemic flu. What ispandemic flu? Pandemic flu is notyour seasonal flu that arrives duringwinter. It is a new variety ofInfluenza A virus, to which humanshave little or no natural resistance.Because it is new, no vaccines haveyet been developed for it. It readilyspreads from person to person.

Of recent concern has been thenumber of cases of avian (bird) fluvirus called H5N1 in Asia. “Almostall H5N1 cases occur in birds butsince 2005, more than 200 peoplehave gotten the disease,” per theWorld Health Organization statisticsas of January 12, 2007. More thanhalf of these persons have died.Currently, there is no pandemic fluin Hawaii.

As part of your disaster preparationplanning, there are several thingsyou can do to understand your roleand actions in the event of apandemic flu. Health Departmentofficials recommend that you havein advance a disaster kit in yourhome. With a pandemic flu, youwill be asked to avoid crowds orremain in your home. Large publicgatherings may be cancelled orpostponed. You may be ordered offthe streets. These steps are meant tokeep you safe and healthy.

Some questions for you to considerin preparing for you or theindividual with intellectualdisabilities you care for in the event

of a pandemic flu are:

1. Are you prepared to spend 2-3weeks in your home without yourPersonal Assistance/Habilitation(PAB) worker coming to helpyou?

2. Is their special equipment or acommunication device availablefor you at your home?

3. Do you have enough medicationand supplies for a month on handat your home? Is there someoneavailable to pick them up for you?

4. Do you have a backup plan to getto the doctor or hospital if youcare for a medically fragileindividual?

5. What if you or the individual youcare for couldn’t go to the adultday health program? Is therealternative care?

6. Have you talked to your doctorabout how you can prepare andhow to help a medically fragileperson prepare for a pandemic flu?

7. What is the plan your adult dayhealth program, PAB, and anyother support services you utilizehave in place in the event of apandemic flu?

On your next trip to a drug storesale, COSTCO/Sam’s, or market –begin to stock up on food,water/other beverages, medication,first aid supplies, and personalhygiene supplies in your home.Build your supply beginning withthree days, then three weeks.Check your expiration dates on youritems and replace when needed. Abattery operated/crank type of radioshould be part of your kit. Essentialinformation from State or CountyCivil Defense will be aired on theradio and TV to keep the publicinformed on the status of a publichealth emergency, which includespandemic flu. All official HealthDepartment announcements will bemade through the State or CountyCivil Defense.

The following are some ways youcan help to keep you and your familysafe and healthy now (Reference -Plan to Be Ready: The HawaiiFamily Guide to HealthEmergencies):

• Get a flu vaccine each year. TheHawaii State Department ofHealth recommends vaccinationsevery fall, for everyone. Hawaii’sflu season can peak in February oreven later. Schedule a flu shotappointment for you and yourfamily.

• Cough or sneeze into your elbowor a tissue, then throw used tissuesaway. Avoid using your hands to

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Pandemic Flucontinued from page 10

cover your mouth. It’s a differentway of coughing. This helpsprevent the spread of germs fromyour hands – on door knobs, desktops, refrigerator handles, cardoors.

• Wash your hands often and usehand-sanitizing gels. Washingyour hands with soap and water for20 seconds or more can kill germs.Carry a small bottle of hand

sanitizing gel to use when soap andwater are not available.

• Get regular check-ups, exerciseand eat right. By doing thesepositive habits, your body is bestable to fight disease when it ishealthy.

• Stay home when you are sick. Ifyou feel ill or have a cold or flu-like symptoms (runny nose,congestion, cough, muscle aches,fever or exhaustion), stay homeand get well before returning towork or programs. If you are well,

keep your distance from peoplewho are sick.

The Developmental DisabilitiesDivision takes these precautionsseriously and encourages you to beprepared with information andhealthy lifestyle practices. For moreinformation, you can obtain thePlan to Be Ready booklet online atwww.hawaii.gov/health. Individualcopies of the booklet are alsoavailable by calling 211.

CONSUMER DIRECTED SERVICES POPULAR CHOICE

Consumer Directed (CD) Servicesare an option for participants in theDD/MR Home and CommunityBased Services (HCBS) program.This service allows the individualand/or their designatedrepresentative to direct their servicesand be the employer of the serviceworker. Participants have theflexibility to hire, train, manage, andfire, when necessary, the directsupport worker(s) they choose.They also control when and how theworker will work, and what workthey will do.

Chore, Personal Assistance/Habilitation (PAB) levels 1 and 2,and Respite services may beconsumer directed. Participants may

direct some or all of these services oruse a combination of both agencyservices and Consumer DirectedServices. Based on theindividualized service plan (ISP),CD services offer choice andflexibility and provide different waysto help individuals meet their goals.

From its beginnings of only twoconsumers in August 2004, the

numbers now enrolled have soaredto about 340 consumers. ConsumerDirected Services may be a choicefor you. Contact your case managerfor more information or to request abrochure.

If any consumer who has beenutilizing Consumer DirectedServices for 2 years or more andwould like to share a story for ourDevelopmental Disabilities DivisionBulletin about how it is working,please contact Gail Yuen, at733-9191, or e-mailgail.yuen@doh.hawaii.gov.

For the newTraumatic BrainInjury Grant, acontract with thePacific BasinRehabilitationResearch TrainingCenter for thePeer Mentoringproject out of theRehabilitationHospital of thePacific will soonbegin. If you areinterested inbecoming a mentor or would likemore information on this project,call the Neurotrauma Helpline at808-453-6151.

The 10th Annual Federal TraumaticBrain Injury Program State Grantee

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NEUROTRAUMASUPPORTS

Disability Supports BranchDevelopmental Disabilities

Division

2201 Waimano Home Road Pearl City, Hawaii 96782-1474 Telephone: 453-6151 E-mail: ntrauma@doh.hawaii.gov

If you have Microsoft Windowsmedia player, check our website:www.hawaii.gov/health/disability-services/neurotrauma/index.htmlfor videos on-line. Videos thatare relevant to survivors ofbrain, spinal cord injury andstroke will be shownperiodically.

For information and resources,or to suggest topics of interestfor this newsletter, call theNeurotrauma Helpline at 808-453-6151.

CONGRATULATIONS, MONICA OLIVEROSMonica Oliveros, paramedicalassistant with the DisabilitySupports Branch, recently receivedthe Sustained Superior PerformanceAward for exemplifying what a“team player” is all about. Monicaconstantly displays a positiveattitude, and is always eager andwilling to learn new tasks to helpothers in her work place. Sheassists both the clerical andprofessional staff in variouscapacities—from greeting caregivers,answering phone calls or inquiriesabout the program, fingerprinting

prospective caregivers,accompanying certifiers on homevisits and complaint investigations,visiting and reporting on prospectiveAdult Foster Homes, preppingmaterials used for training, andproctoring English ComprehensionTests. She also initiates variousspecial projects (i.e. decoratingcontests for the holidays amongstoffice staff) and helps to “spruce upthe office” for different occasions.Over the years she has grown tobecome an invaluable member ofthe Certification Section.

TBI GRANTMeeting was heldthis past March inBethesda,Maryland. Oneof the moremoving andinformativepresentations wasby a recentveteran on “TBI:The SignatureInjury of the IraqWar.” He spokeon blast injuriesfrom IEDs

(improvised explosive devices)causing TBI and what’s been done toidentify these soldiers and treatthem. There needs to be acoordinated effort between themilitary and the brain injury

Sen. Inouye and Bill

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The State Traumatic Brain InjuryAdvisory Board, at its meeting inJanuary, discussed the idea ofdesigning an I.D. bracelet or medicalcard to indicate the individual had abrain injury. This would help alertothers that the individual has abrain injury and not be treated as ifhe/she were intoxicated or mentallyill/incompetent. In its meeting inMarch, hospital discharge data ofpersons with TBI obtained from theHawaii Health Information Corp.was presented. In 2005 there were1681 discharges and most wereattributed to motor vehicle crashesand falls.

The Neurotrauma Advisory Boardheld its annual meeting in Februaryand Dr. Brenda Cartwright of theUH School of EducationalCounseling did a presentation on“Embracing Change and CulturalDiversity.” Members broke out into

groups to brainstorm ideas on how toreach out to survivors. The MembersHandbook was distributed andreviewed. Sub-committees on 1)Registry; 2) Marketing; 3)Legislative Advocacy; and 4) SpecialFund are meeting to review/revisetheir goals and develop activities/strategies to meet them.

The STBIAB meets on the thirdFriday of odd months at the CapitolCenter, 1177 Alakea St., Rm. 302;and Neurotrauma on the fourthFriday, even months at theKalanimoku Bldg., 1151 PunchbowlSt., Basement, and the State Bldg. inKapolei on Oahu. Both meetingscan be accessed via the State videoconference centers (VCCs) onMaui, Hawaii and Kauai. Meetingsare from 1:30 to 4:00 pm and opento the public. Call 453-6295 for thespecific dates, times or moreinformation.

ADVISORY BOARDS

MARCH WASBRAIN INJURY

AWARENESSMONTH

This year’s theme was “As

Diverse as We Are.” A mini-

fair was held at the

Rehabilitation Hospital of the

Pacific and participants with

their exhibits included BIA-

HI, Comforting Hands,

Centre for Neuro Skills,

Neurotrauma Supports,

ThinkFirst and REHAB TBI

Core Team.

BRAIN-INJURY SURVIVORS RISKEPILEPSY

Excerpt from the Associated Press

Survivors of traumatic brain injuries(TBI) – from car crash victims tosoldiers wounded in Iraq – face anextra hurdle as they recover:thousands of them will developepilepsy months or years later.Major new research is beginninginto ways to predict exactly who ismost at risk and how to protect theirvulnerable brains. Among theefforts are pilot studies to see if the

newer seizure-treating drugs such asTopamax or Keppra might actuallyprevent epilepsy if they are takenimmediately after a serious braininjury. About 5% of the nation’sepilepsy was caused by TBI; roughly25% of survivors of moderate tosevere brain injury will developepilepsy. Even more, perhaps, forcertain types of war injuries.

TBI Grantcontinued from page 12

community to share information andresources.

Bill Rodrigues, TBI survivor, andCurtis Inouye, NT staff, werefortunate to visit with Senator DanInouye at the Hart Senate Buildingduring the annual TBI GranteeMeeting. They were warmly greetedby Sen. Inouye and his staff and Billwas able to provide a history of hisinjury and recovery. They were alsoable to provide information to theSenator and his office staff on theTBI Re-Authorization Act and gainhis support.

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**We provide access to our activities without regard to race, color, national origin (including language), age, sex, religion, or disability. Write or callour Affirmative Action Officer at Box 3378, Honolulu, HI 96801-3378 or at (808) 586-4616 (voice) within 180 days of a problem.

Linda Lingle, Governor Chiyome Leinaala Fukino, M.D., Director of Health

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

May was Stroke Awareness MonthStroke Club of Hawaii1st Tuesday of every month at 10:00 amRehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific – Lanai Area 226 Kuakini Street (Honolulu) Phone: 531-3511 ext. 791Contact person: Catherine Church, CTRS

Brain Injury Support GroupsBrain Injury Association of HawaiiSupport Group Meeting2nd Wednesday of every month from 7:00 – 9:00 pmEducational Meeting3rd Wednesday of every month from 7:00 – 9:00 pmRehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific – Wo Conf. Room #2226 Kuakini Street (Honolulu) Phone: 454-0699Contact person: Lyna Burian (Facilitator)

BIG (Brain Injury Group)3rd Friday of every month from 12 noonHale Mahaolu - 200 Hina Avenue (Kahului)Contact person: Gary Frampton, Facilitator (871-7408)

Kona Chapter of the Pacific Brain Injury Association2nd Wednesday of every month from 6:00 – 8:00 pm Hawaiian Rehab Services75-184 Hualalai Road (Kailua-Kona)Contact persons: Val Hoke, OTR (329-0591)

or Karen Klemme, RN (328-9498)