Utah Agencies and Groups Unite in Care for TBI
Utah agencies and community groups are uniting to increase visibility of traumatic brain injury services in that state. With the increasing number of veterans returning and being diagnosed with TBIs, the awareness of the injury has increased. Fortunately, Utah has a diverse network of services for people who have suffered a TBI, but many who qualify for care aren’t aware of what is available to them. The VA brought together federal and state agencies, community organizations and medical providers who work with TBI patients in a recent conference. According to Dr. Jennifer Romesser, a clinical psychologist with the Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, TBIs are so complicated and take a team of medical and social service providers to care for the wounded and their families. “Something that often comes up when working with patients and families is how difficult it is to know about the different resources available,” Romesser says. “And really what we were aiming to do with this conference was to try to educate providers about the difference services so they can help families and survivors navigate that really complex system of care.” It was fortunate that the VA called a conference and not only for the veterans. The group plans to publish a handbook of services all Utah residents can access who have been diagnosed with a TBI including our veterans.
