PATBI.htm

PATBI Program Description

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries (PATBI).

The PATBI Program serves people who were previously served by GAO through Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (if their brain injury occurred before the age of 22 and affected at least 3 major life activities), through Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (if their brain injury occurred after the age of 22), and through Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (if their brain injury caused behavior that caused them to be labeled as mentally ill or "dangerous" or they reside in a psychiatric facility). With the creation of the PATBI program the unique needs of this population can be addressed under one program.

We would like to hear your opinion on how we are doing this work.

Click here if you would like to fill out a satisfaction survey about a particular situation that you have spoken to us about.

Click here is you would like to know about our client grievance procedure.

Below is a description of our planned emphasis for 2007 - 2008. Please email (to info@thegao.org) or mail (to 150 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 430, Decatur, GA 30030) your comments, suggestions, or questions. We welcome your comments on our work throughout the year.

The first priority of the PATBI Program is to protect persons with TBI in Georgia from abuse and neglect.

Objective 1: Investigate and intervene on behalf of persons with TBI in institutions, especially psychiatric institutions and nursing homes, who are subject to abuse and neglect.

Objective 2. Investigate and intervene on behalf of persons with TBI from circumstances of abuse (financial as well as physical) and neglect in the community.

Objective 3. Develop a program to engage ordinary citizens in protection and advocacy on behalf of persons with TBI in nursing homes.

The second priority of the PATBI Program is to protect persons with TBI in Georgia from discrimination.

Objective 1. Advocate for state and local government to provide appropriate and accessible services to persons with TBI.

Objective 2. Advocate for persons with TBI in the private sector to gain access to healthcare, housing, education, and employment, including people with neurobehavioral effects of TBI to improve access to comprehensive, high quality health care services.

Objective 3. Train 30 new advocates and support 180 advocates in Georgia on special education of all students, including those with TBI.

The third priority of the PATBI Program is to promote the integration and self-determination of persons with TBI in the community.

Objective 1. Participate in the legislative commmittees regarding any issues of life and death such as to redraft Health Care Power of Attorney, living will statutes, nutrition, and hydratrion.

Objective 2. Restore greater rights to individuals subject to guardianship.