Traumatic Brain Injury
Supporting North Carolinians with TBI through connection, care and community.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects people of all ages and can happen in many ways, from a fall or car crash to a sports injury or other impact to the head. The effects of a TBI can look different for each person and may change over time. For children and youth, a brain injury can affect learning and development, while adults may experience changes in thinking, emotions, or daily functioning. No two brain injuries are the same, and recovery often looks different at every stage of life.
DMH/DD/SUS is committed to supporting individuals living with TBI and the families and communities around them. Through funding, partnerships, and statewide coordination, we work to improve access to services, supports, and resources that promote recovery, independence, and quality of life. This includes ongoing support for the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina (BIANC), which plays a key role in education, advocacy, and connection to services across the state.
People who experienced a brain injury under the age of 22 may also be eligible for IDD services through Inclusion Connects.
Services and Supports for People with TBI
There are different ways to receive support in North Carolina if you are living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
What services are available depends on:
Whether you have Medicaid
Where you live
The level of support you need
These options can help with daily living, recovery, and staying connected to services in the community.
If you are not sure where to start, contact your Tailored Plan (also called an LME-MCO). They can help determine your eligibility and explain what services may be available.
Services for people with Medicaid
If you have NC Medicaid, you may qualify for the following:
1915(i) TBI Services
1915(i) services help people with TBI who need support to live safely at home and participate in their community.
Services may include:
Help with daily activities
Skill-building support
Community-based assistance
TBI Waiver (Alliance Health only)
The TBI Waiver is for people who need more intensive, long-term support to live in the community instead of a facility.
Services may include:
Personal care
Daily living supports
Individualized services based on need
Services for people who do not have Medicaid.
If you do not have Medicaid, you may still be able to receive support. There are two different types of state-supported options:
State-Funded TBI Services (Direct Services Through Tailored Plans)
Some direct services are funded by the state and managed by your local Tailored Plan. These services are not guaranteed and may vary depending on funding and your location.
Examples may include:
Community Living and Supports – Help with daily tasks at home or in the community
Day Supports – Structured daytime activities that build skills and promote independence
Residential Supports – Supervised living environments
Respite – Temporary relief for caregivers
Supported Employment – Help finding and keeping a job
Supported Living (Periodic) – Scheduled support to maintain independence
TBI Long-Term Residential Rehabilitation – Intensive residential rehabilitation for people with complex needs
Availability and eligibility vary by county.
How to Access These Services
Your Tailored Plan can review your needs, explain eligibility, and help you apply for available services.
To learn more about what’s available in your area:
State Appropriated Funds
The North Carolina State TBI Program leads statewide efforts to strengthen services and supports for people living with traumatic brain injury, including those who may not qualify for Medicaid or need support beyond what Medicaid covers.
Through state and federal funding, the program works with Tailored Plans (LME-MCOs) and community partners to:
Improve access to community-based services
Support education and training
Strengthen coordination and awareness across North Carolina
The program does not provide direct individual services but supports organizations that connect people and families to help in their communities.
One key partner is the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina (BIANC), which provides education, advocacy, support groups, and help navigating available resources.
How to Access These Services:
Learn more about programs through the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina
Get Involved in TBI Advocacy
Brain Injury Advisory Council (BIAC)
The Brain Injury Advisory Council (BIAC) advises the Governor, General Assembly, and Department of Health and Human Services on planning, funding, and services for people with brain injury in North Carolina. All meetings are open to the public. People who are not on the council are invited to participate in subcommittees.
State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (SCFAC)
The State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (SCFAC) serves as the representative voice of consumers and families with mental health, substance use, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injury. It advises the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services, other NCDHHS agencies, and the General Assembly.
North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD)
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) works with others to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families get the services and supports they need to live independently, make choices, and be part of their community. The Council listens to the I/DD community through its five-year planning process and supports projects that meet the goals of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act).
Data and Reports
TBI Dashboard
The TBI Dashboard provides an overview of how many people with traumatic brain injury are receiving services through publicly funded programs in North Carolina. This data helps inform planning, funding, and system improvements statewide.
TBI State Plan
These plans guide statewide efforts to improve outcomes for individuals living with traumatic brain injury.
Training and Education Materials
Training and Outreach Opportunities
Training is available statewide, both online and in person, to support professionals, individuals, and families impacted by TBI. DMH/DD/SUS partners with BIANC to offer education on a range of topics, including:
Brain Injury Basics
TBI and mental health or substance use
TBI and aging
TBI and PTSD in the military
Crisis Intervention Training
Educational Materials and Tools
DMH/DD/SUS provides educational materials and tools to support outreach, training, and awareness efforts across the state.
Funding and Policy
TBI Funding
DMH/DD/SUS supports TBI services through both state and federal funding sources to ensure access to care, education, and system coordination.
The state-funded TBI program provides approximately $3.9 million each year to support services, education, and awareness for people living with TBI.
$3,413,868 supports TBI-specific services through Local Management Entity–Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCOs).
$559,218 supports education, outreach, and awareness through the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina (BIANC).
TBI Legislation
North Carolina and federal legislation guide how TBI services and supports are defined and delivered, including:
Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Seeks to create and strengthen state and local systems of services and supports for individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and their families, improve access to coordinated services, and promote the sustainability of TBI projects through policy changes. It also encourages systems change activities to evaluate and improve current structures and policies.
Additional Resources
Contact
DHHS TBI Program
Phone: 984-236-5040
Email: TBIContact@dhhs.nc.gov
Brain Injury Association of North Carolina (BIANC)
Phone: 919-833-9634 | Toll-Free: 800-377-1464
Email: bianc@bianc.net
Website: www.bianc.net