TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
August 1, 2011
THOMAS M. SUEHS
EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER
Dear Disaster Preparedness and Response Management Teams:
The Office of Acquired Brain Injury (OABI) would like to thank all who prepare for and respond
to disasters affecting Texans as well as neighbors from other states. Of course, storms that may
strike the Gulf Coast are at the forefront of your planning at this time. As we know, natural and
man-made disasters can occur with or without warning. We are proud to partner with you and to
provide critical information that can assist you in the evacuation, rescue, communication and
sheltering of brain-injured individuals and possibly their families.
This material was developed for you, your staff, volunteers and anyone who responds in time of
emergency. You may be called upon to evacuate brain-injured children and adults from acute or
post-acute facilities, long-term or day rehabilitation services. You may encounter other people
who have been struck in the head by debris and other flying objects and sustained concussions.
They may not realize or understand the seriousness of their condition. Concussions are brain
injuries, the severity of which can vary widely.
The injury may range from a headache, dizziness, nausea and slight disorientation to obviously
severe conditions such as a skull fracture, bleeding of the brain (hematoma), a penetrating head
wound or other life-threatening or functional conditions. Identification of a brain injury may be
challenging as the symptoms do not necessarily indicate a potentially life-threatening condition.
.In crisis situations brain injuries may not be immediately recognized or reported.
Identification of a brain injury and/or interaction and communication with brain-injured
individuals may prove difficult to staff and volunteers who are not aware of brain injury signs,
symptoms and intervention strategies. This information is designed to be easily inserted into
preparedness and response plans, for training and for use in the field. It includes:
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effective communication strategies
best practices for sheltering brain-injured individuals and their families;
statewide brain injury support groups who may be able to serve as volunteers if needed
a brain injury treatment or residential facility information form
the OABI’s State and National Brain Injury Resources and Services Guide.
P. O. Box 13247

Austin, Texas 78711

4900 North Lamar, Austin, Texas
78751
The complete list above is downloadable from the “Disaster” section on our website.
http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/hhsc_projects/abj/index.shtml Other important information is
available there as well.
We will be happy to furnish additional packets at no charge and to provide training for your
group or others upon request. Please call if we may help. Thank you for your work to ensure the
lives and safety of all Texans.
Sincerely,
Bettie Beckworth, M.Ed.
Director, Office of Acquired Brain Injury
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
4900 North Lamar Blvd, MC-1542
Austin, Texas 78751
512.487.3414
512.487.3455
Bettie.Beckworth@hhsc.state.tx.us
P. O. Box 13247

Austin, Texas 78711

4900 North Lamar, Austin, Texas
78751