Brain Injury Support Groups in Texas

Please keep in mind that and times may vary. Always make sure to contact them and verify the information before going to any support group. Not all support groups or resources are in Spanish. This depends on the availability of bilingual interpreters and moderators. Before attending a support group, call to check.

Fort Worth Brainwaves – TBI Support Group

  • When: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 6pm-7pm
  • Where: Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation at 6601 Harris Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76132. For questions please call (817)738-9866
  • Contact: Email drdeanaadams@hopeafterbraininjury.org for more information
  • Website: http://www.hopeafterbraininjury.org/

TBI Peer Mentor Program

  • When: Meetings held virtually on Mondays at 6:30pm and in person at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation in Dallas
  • Where: Online or in person at: Dallas 909 N. Washington Avenue, Dallas, TX 75246
  • Contact: Please contact Stephanie Calhoun at (214)228-5181 or email stephanie.calhoun1@bswhealth.orgfor more information.
  • Website: tbi-peer-mentor-flyer.pdf (bswrehab.com)

Fort Worth – Hope After Brain Injury

  • When: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 1pm-2:30pm 
  • Where: Connections Bldg of Central Bible Church., 8200 Anderson Blvd., Fort. Worth, TX 76120.
  • Contact: For questions please call Deana Adams at (817)-983-1087.
  • Website: https://www.hopeafterbraininjury.org/

 

You may be able to find other Brain Injury Support Groups (BISG) in Texas and information at the following website: Brain Injury Support Groups

Texas Brain Injury Alliance

The vision of biaa is to “ensure everyone in the United States who suffers a brain injury can be diagnosed, treated, and accepted into society.

You can contact them here with questions or for additional help to find resources in your area:

The BIATX Office is in Texas, United States.

316 W 12th Street, room 405, Austin, TX 78701
Main Contact: 512-910-7108
Website: https://www.biausa.org
E-mail: info@biatx.org

Navigate Texas Life

It can be confusing to figure out the best way to support a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but many organizations and state programs can help you. Navigate Life Texas is a great place to learn more about everything from diagnosis to transitioning to adulthood. In addition to housing a wealth of information and videos, Navigate Life Texas also has a database of organizations that help parents find the resources and services needed to support children with IDD. Visit https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en

The Office of Acquired Brain Injury

  • The Texas Health and Human Services Office of Acquired Brain Injury is Texas premier resource for education, awareness, prevention information and service referral regarding brain injury. OABI helps ensure people with a brain injury and their families find the resources they need. The OABI team provides personal attention to help you navigate the maze of services and supports in Texas, and to connect you with the resources you need. Contact OABI at oabi@hhsc.state.tx.us

  • The OABI website,  contains information for brain injury survivors, family members, caregivers, and other professionals. You will find several tools on the OABI website:

Navigating the Brain Maze Video Series

  • Learn what a brain injury is, levels of care and recovery, funding, and insurance, as well as specific information on stroke, brain injury in children and mild traumatic brain injury. Hear from doctors, professionals, people with a brain injury and their families about how you can navigate your way through the maze that brain injury can often be.

Brain Injury Support Groups

  • Find a safe gathering space to share stories, have fun and guide each other through difficult times. Many support groups host social events and guest speakers and are led by people with vast knowledge of brain injury. Get support, tips, information and local resources, such as respite care, social outlets, specialized medical care and vocational opportunities.

Online Resources:

Brainline is a website with a comprehensive collection of information about brain injury

  • Offers information for caregivers, professionals, and veterans. They also feature real stories and maintain a resource directory.

Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center

  • Works closely with researchers to develop resources for people living with brain injuries and their caregivers. These materials are available in a variety of formats at  https://msktc.org/tbi

American Stroke Association

  • Provides information about preventing stroke, stoke warning signs and resources for people who have had a stroke and their caregivers.

Texas Parent 2 Parent

  • Committed to improving the lives of children who have disabilities, chronic illness or special health care needs. TxP2P empowers families to be strong advocates through parent-to-parent support, resource referral and education.
  • In addition, TxP2P educates professionals about the unique needs of children with IDD. Learn more by calling (512)458-8600 (Toll free: (866)896-6001).

Other Resources:

Catholic Charities of Dallas, Refugee Services

  • Services: ​Financial education, career development and training, employment counseling, pregnan​cy & adoption help, after-school program, Brady Senior Center, immigration and legal services, reception and placement, cultural orientation, refugee cash assistance and match grant 
  • Where: 9451 LBJ Freeway, Suite 100, Dallas TX 75243, 
  • Contact: Tel: 214-553-9909, Fax: 214-553-7757, E-mail: lroach@ccdallas.org 
  • Website: https://ccdallas.org/

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

  • Services: Resettlement (help with rent, furniture, and food), economic empowerment (English language classes and job, computer and financial literary skills), job placement,  community integration and development, health and wellness and legal services toward residency and citizenship
  • Where: 6500 Greenville Ave, Suite 500, Dallas TX 75206
  • Contact: Tel: 214-461-9781, Fax: 214-461-9782, E-mail:  Dallas@Rescue.org​
  • Website:  Rescue.org/Dallas

Financial Assistance Program at Children’s Health

  • Children’s Health℠ dedicates itself to providing high quality, affordable care to every community. To help children receive the care they need, Children’s Health provides financial assistance for medically necessary services. Children’s Health financial assistance policy provides detailed information about the process for obtaining financial assistance, the eligibility criteria, the types of assistance available, and services available to patients and families with or without insurance who meet the eligibility requirements.

Financial Assistance Eligibility

Patients must be a citizen of the United States or a qualified legal alien, a legal resident in the State of Texas, and have a family income not exceeding 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). Discount rates differ according to relative Family Income by these amounts:

  • Patients with a family income between 301 and 400% of FPG will receive a 70% discount.
  • Patients with a family income between 201 and 300% of FPG will receive an 85% discount.
  • Patients with a family income up to 200% of FPG will receive a 100% discount.

A person who is eligible for financial assistance will never be charged more for emergency or other medically necessary care than the amounts generally billed to individuals with insurance.

You may apply for financial assistance by completing a Financial Assistance Application.  You may have to submit other paperwork with the application to see if you qualify.  We have Financial Counselors available to help you with the application process in the Admitting Departments at both our Dallas and Plano locations (see below for address, business hours and phone numbers). You may be eligible to receive financial assistance in some cases without applying.

The Financial Assistance Application, this summary and the Financial Assistance Policy can be obtained in English, Spanish or certain other languages as follows:

In person at the Hospital Admitting department.

By phone:

Dallas: 214-456-8640

Plano: 469-303-8640

Financial Counselors are available to assist you with the application process in the Admitting departments at both our Dallas and Plano locations. 

Children’s Medical Center Dallas

  • When: Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • Where: 1935 Medical District Drive Dallas, Texas 75235
  • Contact: Phone: 214-456-8640, Fax: 214-456-6351

Children’s Medical Center Plano

  • When: Monday – Friday: 6:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Where:  Plano, Texas 75024
  • Contact: Phone: 469-303-8640

Medicaid and Other Benefits

  • You may qualify for benefits such as Medicaid, STAR+PLUS, Medicaid BuyIn for Adults and STAR Kids. The particular program you qualify for is dependent on your income, your disability status and your age. Learn more at https://yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/Home  or call 2-1-1.

Applying for Medicaid

  • Remember that for many of the programs available in Texas, you have to first apply and be accepted into Medicaid.

  • Apply online for Medicaid at yourtexasbenefits.com.
  • Apply over the phone by calling 2-1-1 (877-541-7905). Press option 1 twice to connect with a representative.
  • Use the “Find Office” search engine on Your Texas Benefits to locate the nearest HHS benefit office.

Children with Special Health Care Needs Program

  • The Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program helps children 20 and younger who have special health care needs and people with cystic fibrosis of any age improve their health, well-being and quality of life.

  • Focused on family-centered and community-based strategies, the program ensures families get services that honor and respect their cultural beliefs, traditions and values.

All services must be medically necessary. These include:

  • Medical
  • Mental health
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Special medical equipment and supplies
  • Family support services
  • Community services
  • Case management

Who is Eligible for Services?

Anyone who:

  • Lives in Texas.
  • Is 20 or younger or any age with a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.
  • Has an income level at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

Has a medical condition that:

  • Is expected to last at least one year
  • Will limit one or more major life activities
  • Requires a higher level health care
  • Has physical symptoms. Having only a mental, behavioral or emotional condition, or a delay in development won’t qualify).

How Do I Apply?

  • Apply through a local health service office in your region. Social workers are available to help with the process. Find your region. To find the office nearest you, see the Public Health Coverage List or Public Health Coverage Map.

The following must be submitted:

Form 3031, Children with Special Health Care Needs Program Application

Form 3034, Children with Special Health Care Needs Physician/Dentist Assessment

Required documentation:

  • Proof of birth
  • Proof of residency
  • Proof of income
  • Proof of insurance

Application documents may be submitted to your regional office, or to CSHCN via the fax number and email address in the Contact Us section below. You may also mail your application documents to:

  • CSHCN Services Program
  • Eligibility Services
  • MC 1938
  • P.O. Box 149030
  • Austin, TX 78714-9947

Contact Us

  • Texas Medicaid Healthcare Partnership-CSHCN Services Program Phone
  • (877)888-2350
  • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time
  • Monday through Friday

General Fax Number

For more information: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/children-special-health-care-needs-program