New York State Health Department: Traumatic Brain Injury Conference

Each year, a traumatic brain injury symposium is sponsored by the New York State Department of Health to enhance knowledge and to provide training, networking and sharing of information among providers of brain injury services, persons with brain injury and family members.

The agenda for this year's conference and registration information has just been published.  The conference is scheduled for October 18, 2005 in Albany, New York. 
Among the highlights of this year's program is a keynote address by Dr. Fred Epstein, the world famous pediatric neurosurgeon who himself sustained a traumatic brain injury. Following his injury, Dr. Epstein authored a book, If I Get To Five concerning his experiences with children who have underwent neurosurgery and the inspiration that they have provided to him during his own brain damage rehabilitation. A 20/20 segment concerning Dr. Epstein and his patients will also be shown.

In recognition of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Conference in participation with the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals With Disabilities (VESID) will feature an entire track on vocational rehabilitation. 

Other workshops scheduled during the conference include:

• Building Partnerships Across the Continuum of Care to Maximize Outcome in Brain Injury Rehabilitation
• A Cognitive Behavioral Model for Group Counseling
• A round table discussion on Project LEARN, a Joint Project of the Brain Injury Association of New York State and the New York Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) on educational resources to support students who have sustained a brain injury
• Community Support Programs Under the Department of Health TBI Waiver Program
• Sexuality Issues after Traumatic Brain Injury
• Domestic Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury
• Substance Abuse and Traumatic Brain Injury
• Behavior Management after Traumatic Brain Injury

You may obtain registration and other information about the conference by e mailing the conference coordinators Laura Roe or Pat Gumson .