Established by the 1996 Mississippi Legislature, the TBI/SCI Trust Fund provides both direct services to clients with brain injuries and spinal cord injuries as well as awarding sub-grants to organizations throughout the state to support programs that focus on the awareness and prevention of these conditions. There is a $50,000 lifetime cap on individual Trust Fund services (excluding Transitional Attendant Care and Respite Care). The Trust Fund Program is the payer of last resort; therefore, an individual must seek assistance from all available resources prior to receiving Trust Fund assistance.
DIRECT CARE SERVICES
To qualify for this program, individuals must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must have a severe disability as a result of a traumatic spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury
- Must be a Mississippi resident
- Must be medically stable. Medical stability is defined as the absence of (a) an active, life threatening condition (e.g., sepsis, respiratory, or other condition requiring systematic therapeutic measures); (b) IV drip to control or support blood pressure; and (c) intracranial pressure or arterial monitoring.
- Must not be eligible to receive duplicate services under any other program
Services provided through this program include:
- Transitional Attendant Care – An individual of the client’s choosing to assist them with their activities of daily living for up to twelve (12) months.
- Specialized Medical Equipment – Assistive devices to assist the participant with their activities of daily living, including but not limited to, wheelchairs, hearing aids, and bath lifts.
- Environmental Accessibility Adaptations (Home Modifications) – Modifications to the participant’s home to make it easier to access and navigate, including but not limited to, ramps and door widening. Modifications cannot increase the total square footage of the home.
- Vehicle Modifications – Modifications to the participant’s vehicle to make it accessible for them, either as a driver or passenger.
- Respite Care – Relief for the participant’s caregiver or in the temporary absence of the caregiver. An individual may receive up to 288 hours of respite care each year
SUB GRANTS
The Trust Fund also awards sub-grants to organizations throughout the state that provide new and innovative programs in the following categories:
- Prevention and Education – Projects that increase awareness and acceptance of safety practices surrounding traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
- Transitional Living – Projects that address activities such as increasing/accommodating physical functioning; cognitive retraining; behavior modification; socialization; recreational activities; and adjustment to disability by the consumer and family members.
- Recreational – Projects that address recreational activities for individuals with traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
For more information, go to the Location Finder or call 1-800-443-1000. To request services, click here.