Brain & Spinal Cord Injury Program

Purpose  

The purpose of the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP) is to provide all eligible Florida residents who sustain a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury the opportunity to obtain the necessary services enabling them to return to their community.

Authority

The BSCIP is a state government administered program authorized by Section 381.74 through Section 381.795, F.S. The program is funded through traffic-related fines, surcharges for driving under the influence and boating under the influence convictions, temporary license tag fees, and most recently by the sale of a specialty motorcycle tag. These funds are deposited into the BSCIP Rehabilitation Trust Fund and used to support a statewide coordinated system of services including acute care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, home and vehicle modification, equipment and adaptive technology by a network of designated trauma, rehabilitation and transitional living facilities, vendors and healthcare providers. The BSCIP funds education, prevention and research activities, resource centers and long-term supports for individuals age 18 and older through the BSCIP Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver. The BSCIP acts as a “payer of last resort,” and relies heavily on third party payments and comparable benefits for provision of rehabilitation services. The BSCIP is provided oversight by a 16 member BSCIP Advisory Council.

Description

The Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP) serves individuals with moderate-to-severe brain and/or spinal cord injury resulting from external trauma. The goal of the program is to provide the services necessary for injured individuals to return to their home, job and/or school and community. A Letter of Agreement between the BSCIP and Children’s Medical Services (CMS) provides for specially trained nurse specialists to coordinate the care of children age birth through18 years in the BSCIP. The CMS BSCIP nurses provide case management and care coordination for the children in their caseload and their families. The CMS BSCIP nurse develops a Community Reintegration Plan with each child and family based on an assessment of their needs. The nurse maintains regular and frequent communication with the child and family and monitors the child’s progress in attaining the goals and objectives established in his/her plan. Closure occurs when the child is reintegrated into his/her community, has resumed activities of daily living and is engaged in community-based activities such as school, work, or social activities to the maximum possible.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the BSCIP an individual must be referred to the BSCIP Central Registry (1-800-342-0778), meet the state definition of traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, be medically stable, be a legal resident of Florida, and there must be a reasonable expectation for community reintegration.

Contact Information

For further information, contact Bonnie Wirth, RN, CRRN, the CMS BSCIP liaison at (850) 245-4444, ext. 2260, or visit the Children’s Medical Services website: http://www.cms-kids.com

Explanation of Measure:

During FY 2004-2005, 444 children were referred to the BSCIP Central Registry. Region 1: Pensacola-Tallahassee-Gainesville-Jacksonville; Region 2: Orlando-Ocala-Daytona; Region 3: Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota; Region 4: Ft. Lauderdale-Palm Beach-Ft. Myers; Region 5: Miami-Keys

Explanation of Measure:

The BSCIP provides a continuum of services for Florida residents who are referred to the Central Registry as having sustained a moderate to severe traumatic brain or spinal cord injury. CMS BSCIP care coordinators determine eligibility of children age birth through 18 years for services of the BSCIP. Eligibility determination for services of the Program should be made within 60 days of receipt of the referral. Information and referrals to other programs are provided to the families of children who do not meet the eligibility criteria of the BSCIP. The highest number of cases in referral status for greater than 60 days occurred during the 2004 hurricane season in the First Quarter, a time when many of the CMS BSCIP nurses were working in special needs shelters and/or attending to damage to their own property.