Below is an email which I received today from the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA). The email discusses the need to lobby our congressional representatives so they support the reauthorization and appropriations of the TBI Act, which President Bush’s proposed 2006 budget will cut. I have copied the email below and urge the readers of this blog to contact either the NASHIA or their congressional representatives. Dear NASHIA members and friends: This is a critical time for all individuals with traumatic brain injuries and their services. Reauthorization of the Federal TBI Act that includes directives to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) needs to be completed this session of Congress. As I am sure you have heard, the President’s budget request has level funded the CDC and eliminated the HRSA Federal TBI Program.(There is no specific funding amount for NIH in the TBI Act.) To be able to continue the excellent work that states are doing through the Federal TBI Program we will need your help to convince our Congressional representatives that this a Program worthy of funding. Without everyone’s help all the hard work that has been done on behalf of individuals with traumatic brain injuries and gains made will be in jeopardy. NASHIA will be working hard over the next few months to build support for the reauthorization and appropriations of the TBI Act. We have an opportunity to partner with the Brain Injury Association of America in sponsoring a Capitol Hill reception on Tuesday, March 15th. Congressional representatives and staff will be invited. This will provide an initial opportunity for NASHIA members to meet key representatives and staff and to educate them about state successes under the HRSA TBI Program. NASHIA has only modest resources for policy and membership activities. Therefore to move forward and to represent the interests of state systems, and in that way individuals with traumatic brain injuries, we need to raise additional funds to cosponsor the reception and to support our reauthorization and appropriations efforts. We are calling on our membership and friends to donate $50, $100, or whatever amount you find affordable. Your contribution is fully tax deductible and should be made out to NASHIA. Please send your contribution to the NASHIA office: Attention: Kenneth Currier Acting Executive Director, 4330 East West Highway Suite 301, Bethesda, MD 20814 Also, please consider how you can assist in advocating for reauthorization and appropriations, as your assistance will be needed throughout this session of Congress. You will be receiving additional information on how you can become active in this important task. Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your support and assistance. Sincerely, John Capuco, Psy.D. William A. B. Ditto, MSW President, NASHIA Board of Directors Public Policy Committee Chair