RALEIGH — North Carolinians living with a traumatic brain injury will have better access to services and a stronger support system under a new plan from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
The 2026–2029 Traumatic Brain Injury State Action Plan from the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services went into effect July 1, 2026. It was developed through extensive collaboration with people with lived experience, caregivers, providers, advocates, community partners and the Brain Injury Advisory Council. Other NCDHHS divisions that participated in the plan’s development are NC Medicaid, the Division of Public Health and the Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities.
"Really listening to those most impacted by TBI was essential to developing strategies that will improve their quality of life," said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, assistant secretary for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services. "Our goal is to create a system of care that allows people living with brain injuries to lead the life they choose with dignity while staying in their homes and communities."
The State Action Plan establishes four strategic priorities: Better Access to Services, Better Support Providers and Clinicians, Better Support People with TBI and Caregivers, and Better Equip Communities to Prevent Brain Injuries.
A TBI happens when a bump, blow or jolt to the head disrupts normal brain function. These injuries can lead to long-term challenges with memory, emotions, movement and daily living. TBI can impact anyone, but certain groups are more susceptible, including veterans and active-duty service members, people experiencing homelessness, people who have been incarcerated, survivors of domestic abuse and people who are aging. People living in rural areas who experience a TBI face additional challenges that impact their recovery.
Falls are the leading cause of TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths in the state. In 2024, NCDHHS data shows 8,260 people were hospitalized due to TBI and 2,668 people experienced TBI-related deaths. More than 32,000 people visited emergency departments for TBI-related injuries. Older adults (75 and older) are particularly vulnerable to falls that can lead to TBI.
One of the first initiatives to come out of the plan is an Online Brain Injury Screening & Support System, a nationally validated tool developed by Dr. John Corrigan and associates at The Ohio State University. NCDHHS worked with Disability Rights North Carolina to bring this tool to the state. NCDHHS purchased a one-year subscription to the service, which provides a simple, accessible way for individuals age 10 and older to identify possible brain injury-related challenges, offer recovery strategies, and connect with appropriate supports.
Supports may include publicly-funded services such as resource facilitation, 1915i and Medicaid services, or other non-Medicaid programs. The $6,500 subscription will allow for up to 5,000 individual screenings per year. NCDHHS can pay for additional screenings if needed and plans to continue subscribing to the service indefinitely. The tool will go live on Aug. 1, 2026.
Anyone interested in screening can access the OBISSS anytime independently or with support from a professional/service provider, LME-MCO-TP, family member or other natural support. It is recommended that individuals have a support person to assist them through the screening process.
NCDHHS will host a webinar July 29 for anyone interested in learning how to use the system (providers, TP’s, families, individuals with lived experience, general community members, etc.). The training will be recorded and posted on the TBI web page as well.
Certain providers are required to offer to screen individuals for brain injury as part of their contract with DMHDDSUS. The system will also be available to the general public with a link from the TBI webpage, Brain Injury Association of North Carolina website and other key websites.
OBISSS will aggregate the data to help NCDHHS and providers better understand community needs and strengthen brain injury awareness, identification, and service planning across the state.
Other initiatives in the plan include improving access to community-based services, strengthening the provider workforce, increasing caregiver and peer supports and enhancing statewide prevention and public awareness efforts aimed at reducing the number of TBI incidents.
The plan includes measurable goals and accountability metrics through 2029 to track progress, improve outcomes and ensure North Carolinians living with TBI have greater opportunities to access services and live successfully in their communities.
