TBI Program Updates

Announcements

Washington TBI SOS

Support for people with traumatic brain injury, their families, and their caregivers across Washington State.

Washington TBI SOS helps people living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) find help close to home. We also support the families and caregivers who care for them.

We are building free programs across Washington State: in-person support groups, community activities, and one-to-one peer mentoring. This page is the first step. Tell us how you would like to take part, and we will be in touch as programs open in your area. If you are interested in being a support group leader, peer mentor, or need services you can find the corresponding forms in the following link https://wa.tbisos.org/

TBI Program Updates

For more than 20 years, Washington’s Tommy Manning Act (RCW 74.31) has helped connect people living with traumatic brain injury (TBI), their families, and caregivers to information, services and each other.  In 2025, HB 1848 increased funding to strengthen and expand TBI services for in-person support groups, community-based activities and peer-to-peer mentoring and navigation across Washington.  

Current Status

To prepare for expanded services DSHS has: 

  • Hired staff to support implementation of the expanded services 
  • Selected the Center on Brain Injury Research and Training (CBIRT) as the statewide vendor to coordinate this work with local partners across Washington  
  • Worked with CBIRT to build program infrastructure for all three program areas
  • Performed outreach and awareness focused on program areas and upcoming service expansion

Next Steps

From July through December 2026, next steps include: 

  • Launching facilitator/partner applications, trainings, and onboarding processes 
  • Provide trainings, materials, and support for facilitators and partners 
  • Rolling out more in-person support groups, expand community-based activities, create peer-to-peer mentoring and navigation services
  • Sharing information about where TBI services and support are available 
  • Gather regular feedback to continually improve services