12 2 STA T .453PUBLIC LA W 11 0– 1 8 1 —J A N .28 , 2008 Subti t leB—C e n te rsofExc ellence in t h e P re v ention ,D i ag nosis, M itigation, T reat -m ent, an dR ehabilitation of Traumatic Brain I n j ur y , Post-Traumatic Stress Dis- order, and Eye Injuries SEC.162 1. CE NT E ROF E X CE L LENCE I NT H E P RE V ENTION ,D I AG NOSIS, M ITIGATION, TREATMENT, AND REHA B ILITATION OF TRA U MATIC BRAIN IN J UR Y . (a)INGE NE RAL.—TheS e cr e t ar yofD efe ns e sha l l esta b l i sh w ithin the De p art m ent of Defense a center of e x cellence in the pre v ention ,d ia g nosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of tra u matic brain in j ury, including mild, moderate, and severe trau - matic brain injury, to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c). (b) P AR T NER SHIP S.—The Secretary shall ensure that the C enter collaborates to the maximum extent practicable with the Depart- ment of V eterans A ffairs, institutions of higher education, and other appropriate public and private entities (including inter- national entities) to carry out the responsibilities specified in sub- section (c). (c) R ESP O NSI B ILITIES.—The Center shall have responsibilities as follows
( 1 ) To implement the comprehensive plan and strategy for the Department of Defense, re q uired by section 1 6 1 8 of this Act, for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury, including research on gender and ethnic group-specific health needs related to traumatic brain injury. ( 2 ) To provide for the development, testing, and dissemina- tion within the Department of best practices for the treatment of traumatic brain injury. ( 3 ) To provide guidance for the mental health system of the Department in determining the mental health and neuro- logical health personnel required to provide quality mental health care for members of the Armed F orces with traumatic brain injury. ( 4 ) To establish, implement, and oversee a comprehensive program to train mental health and neurological health profes- sionals of the Department in the treatment of traumatic brain injury. ( 5 ) To facilitate advancements in the study of the short- term and long-term psychological effects of traumatic brain injury. (6) To disseminate within the military medical treatment facilities of the Department best practices for training mental health professionals, including neurological health profes- sionals, with respect to traumatic brain injury. ( 7 ) To conduct basic science and translational research on traumatic brain injury for the purposes of understanding the etiology of traumatic brain injury and developing preventive interventions and new treatments. (8) To develop programs and outreach strategies for families of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury Establi s hmen t .10USC 10 7 1 n o te.
�
