TRAINING CURRICULA FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS ON CARE AND ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS AND FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

SEC. 744. TRAINING CURRICULA FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS ON CARE AND ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS AND FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.(a) Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel.—(1) Establishment.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish a panel within the Department of Defense, to be known as the “Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel”, to develop coordinated, uniform, and consistent training curricula to be used in training family members in the provision of care and assistance to members and former members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injuries.(2) Members.—The Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel shall consist of 15 members appointed by the Secretary of Defense from among the following:(A) Physicians, nurses, rehabilitation therapists, and other individuals with an expertise in caring for and assisting individuals with traumatic brain injury, including 120 STAT. 2309 persons who specialize in caring for and assisting individuals with traumatic brain injury incurred in combat.(B) Representatives of family caregivers or family caregiver associations.(C) Health and medical personnel of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs with expertise in traumatic brain injury and personnel and readiness representatives of the Department of Defense with expertise in traumatic brain injury.(D) Psychologists or other individuals with expertise in the mental health treatment and care of individuals with traumatic brain injury.(E) Experts in the development of training curricula.(F) Family members of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury.(G) Such other individuals the Secretary considers appropriate.(3) Consultation.—In establishing the Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel and appointing the members of the Panel, the Secretary of Defense shall consult with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.(b) Development of Curricula.—(1) Development.—The Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel shall develop training curricula to be used by family members of members and former members of the Armed Forces on techniques, strategies, and skills for care and assistance for such members and former members with traumatic brain injury.(2) Scope of curricula.—The curricula shall—(A) be based on empirical research and validated techniques; and(B) shall provide for training that permits recipients to tailor caregiving to the unique circumstances of the member or former member of the Armed Forces receiving care.(3) Particular requirements.—In developing the curricula, the Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel shall—(A) specify appropriate training commensurate with the severity of traumatic brain injury; and(B) identify appropriate care and assistance to be provided for the degree of severity of traumatic brain injury for caregivers of various levels of skill and capability.(4) Use of existing materials.—In developing the curricula, the Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel shall use and enhance any existing training curricula, materials, and resources applicable to such curricula as the Panel considers appropriate.(5) Deadline for development.—The Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel shall develop the curricula not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.(c) Dissemination of Curricula.—(1) Dissemination mechanisms.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop mechanisms for the dissemination of the curricula developed under subsection (b)—120 STAT. 2310(A) to health care professionals who treat or otherwise work with members and former members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury;(B) to family members affected by the traumatic brain injury of such members and former members; and(C) to other care or support personnel who may provide service to members or former members affected by traumatic brain injury.(2) Use of existing mechanisms.—In developing such mechanisms, the Secretary may use and enhance existing mechanisms, including the Military Severely Injured Center (authorized under section 564 of this Act) and the programs for service to severely injured members established by the military departments.(d) Report.—Not later than one year after the development of the curricula required by subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services and Veterans Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the following:(1) The actions undertaken under this section.(2) Recommendations for the improvement or updating of training curriculum developed and provided under this section.