Residents of North Carolina grappling with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are set to benefit from improved access to essential services and a reinforced support system, thanks to a new initiative from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
The 2026–2029 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) State Action Plan, launched by the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS), became effective on July 1, 2026. This plan was crafted with input from individuals with firsthand experience, caregivers, healthcare providers, advocates, and community partners. It also involved contributions from other NCDHHS divisions, including 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,” stated 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 plan outlines four main strategic priorities: enhancing access to services, providing better support for providers and clinicians, supporting individuals with TBI and their caregivers, and improving community readiness to prevent brain injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries occur when a forceful hit or jolt to the head disrupts normal brain function, leading to potential long-term difficulties with memory, emotions, movement, and daily activities. While anyone can be affected, certain populations are more vulnerable, such as veterans, the elderly, homeless individuals, previously incarcerated individuals, and domestic abuse survivors. Rural residents with TBI face additional barriers to recovery.
Falls are identified as the leading cause of TBI-related emergency visits, hospitalizations, and fatalities in the state. According to 2024 NCDHHS data, 8,260 individuals were hospitalized due to TBI, while 2,668 TBI-related deaths were recorded. Additionally, over 32,000 emergency department visits were linked to TBI injuries, with older adults (75 years and above) being particularly susceptible to fall-induced TBIs.
A pioneering initiative from the plan is the Online Brain Injury Screening & Support System (OBISSS), a validated tool developed by Dr. John Corrigan and colleagues at The Ohio State University. In collaboration with Disability Rights North Carolina, NCDHHS introduced this tool to the state, purchasing a one-year $6,500 subscription allowing up to 5,000 individual screenings annually. The tool, set to launch on August 1, 2026, provides a straightforward way for individuals aged 10 and above to identify potential brain injury challenges and access recovery strategies and support services.
The OBISSS tool can be accessed independently or with assistance from professionals, service providers, family members, or other support persons. It is recommended to have a support person assist during the screening process. Publicly funded services like resource facilitation and 1915(i) and Medicaid services are among the supports available.
NCDHHS will host a webinar on July 29 for anyone interested in learning about the system, including providers, families, individuals with lived experience, and the general public. The session will be recorded and accessible on the TBI web page.
Certain contracted providers are mandated to offer screenings for brain injuries. The general public can access the system via the TBI webpage, the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina website, and other significant platforms. OBISSS will collect data to aid NCDHHS and providers in better understanding community needs, enhancing awareness, identification, and planning of brain injury services across the state.
Further initiatives in the plan focus on boosting access to community services, strengthening the healthcare workforce, enhancing caregiver and peer support, and increasing statewide prevention and public awareness to reduce TBI incidents.
With measurable goals and accountability metrics extending through 2029, the plan aims to track progress and improve outcomes, ensuring individuals in North Carolina with TBI have more opportunities to access services and live successfully within their communities.
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