New Mexico Empowerment Project

Jessica s Story Car accident, 16, now 31 First testimony Empowerment classmate Tears, not ---- word, her story Brain Injury Advisory Council appt. Star of documentary about brain injury Advocacy Meeting legislators individually National issues follow-up Ellen Degeneras New York Times Steven Spillburg Local newspaper, Not enough coverage Approached TV reporter at grocery store National issues follow-up

Classmates Success Persons with brain injury EMPOWERED to Advocate for themselves Not just having others work for them Confident/Savvy Know the issues Know how to advocate Have information/ knowledge/ tools

Legislative Success Every legislator contacted by Empowerment classmate Most 3 or 4 times 2005 Bill Sponsors House Appropriations Committee Co- Chairs asked to sponsor Bi-partisan support 2005 Session Committees wanted to go straight to a vote Already knew issues 11 th Hour Republican Filibusterer agreed to stopped talking 30 minutes so bill could come to the floor He read the bill sponsored by a Democrat on the Floor directly from Empowerment Fact Sheet Support from Cabinet Secretaries

Success Continues Team Effort=BIA, TBI Program, Brain Injury Advisory Council Media Aware Public Awareness Local & Statewide Policy Makers Aware Governor Aware

Grassroots Leadership Training Build competencies Two classes of 25 each year 1 and year 2 Individuals applied Selection by committee Persons with brain injury Family members 50 slots, 25 @ year Two day trainings, 3 weekends

Classmates Summary 46 Finished training 26 with brain injury 8 family members 15 professionals (3 have BI) 50% Anglo 30% Hispanics 4% American Indians 50% rural 50% urban

Classmates Commitments Attend all three weekends Stay over-night at hotel or resort with other classmates/trainers Speak publicly about brain injury Continue to be an advocate

Sessions Topics 1. Brain Injury 101 2. Resources, national, state & local 3. Changing public policy, influence the NM legislature 4. Refresher course 5. Brain injury waiver seminar 6. I Am The Central Park Jogger

Provided For Classmates Hotel/ resort Training binder Brain Injury 101 So You Want to Be an Advocate Resource Manual Canvas Tote Bag Camera Where is the Mango Princess? Support Brain Injury Buttons $250 Stipend after completed all 3 sessions Fact Sheets, Brochure, Faces/ Families

Faces Of Brain Injury

Families Of Brain Injury

1. Spring Session History of Disability Leadership by Cabinet Sec. Prevalence/ Causes/ Symptoms Issues/ Challenges No longer alone Bonded to other classmates Homework Read Where is the Mango Princess? Give Brain Injury 101 Training Send report card back

2. Summer Session NM government structure Identifying agencies Medicare/ Medicaid services Nongovernment BI services How other states provide BI services Identifying gaps in services Protection & Advocacy How to access services History of BI services in NM Vocational rehab Independent living centers

2. Summer Session Homework Look up NM TBI Program on the web Introduce yourself as advocate to TBI Program agency staff Identify your personal state legislators Be prepared to tell who they are at fall session

3. Fall Session So You Want To Be An Advocate Who are your legislators? How a bill becomes a law Using advocacy tools Faces & Fact Sheets Writing your story breakout sessions Your story in the Media Legislative history of BI Roleplaying, telling your story face to face Giving legislative testimony

3. Fall Session Homework & Debriefing Contact legislators now, just before & during session Prepare to testify Write letters, leave handwritten notes, pass out Faces of Brain Injury, make phone calls to legislators and policy makers Give presentations of BI 101 & tell your story

Classmate Presentations Fire Departments State Police Academy/Law Enforcement TBI Providers Family Members City Council Members Mayors Offices Civic Organizations Therapy Groups Judges Churches 4. Winter Refresher/Reunion Education Public/Private Discharge Planners/Social Workers Business/Work Colleagues

4. Winter Agenda Refresher/Reunion Policewoman shot by a person with BI Told by the policewoman What is a Medicaid Waiver? Update your story script How you can make a difference Advocacy legislative priorities Telling your story before classmates Role-playing Giving testimony Homework Continue to Meet with Legislators & Policy Makers

4. Media Coverage More than 65 Stories & Articles Newspaper Stories/Op Eds Mother on son s BI Wife of person with BI that shot Policewoman Letters to the Editor following brain injury stories Personal Classmates Stories Assault, recovery, aftermath Shot policewoman. Interviews in TV, newspapers 27 year survivor Mother of daughter in institution BI Clubhouse article published Prime-time TV anchor announcement of Brain Injury Awareness Month TV & Radio Interviews

Policy Maker Influence Legislature 35-60 at each BI waiver bill hearings BI waiver PASSED BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE UNIMIOUSLYin 2004 & 2005 Governor vetoed in 2004 Governor SIGNED BILL IN 2005 Phone Blitzes Legislatures Governor Cabinet Secretaries

Policy Maker Influence Prepared lunch for senators Worked on campaign Got local mayor to write letter to Governor Met w/governor s Advisors Met w/cabinet Secretaries Distributed Faces & Families to every legislator by mail Hand delivered handwritten notes on Faces/Families E-mail list alerts Speaking opportunities Proclamation of BI Awareness Month by Albuquerque Mayor City Proclamation to support Brain Injury Services

5. Waiver Seminar A National Perspective Medicaid Waivers: A National Perspective New Jersey, Cash & Counseling New York, QA Vermont, limited waiver/rehab Minnesota, self determination/rural state HRSA Sustainability Funds ($100,000) Used

6. I Am the Central Park Jogger Scholarships awarded to Empowerment classmates Lieutenant Governor supportive

HRSA Sustainability Staring BI Documentary Assault (E) Shaken baby (E) Older person, fall (E) Car accident Jessica (E) Horseback ridding accident Iraq veteran Recently released from prison Woody Harrelson Slated for Santa Fe Film Festival October Academy Award?????

Bil Schmidt Brain Injury Program Manager Phone: 505-476-4782 or 1-866-451-2901 Bil.schmidt@state.nm.us

Families Of Brain Injury