Where your future begins

New Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Interview Chapter

Contact: Keri Bennett
Created: 11/17/2025
Date Emailed to Staff: 11/25/2025
Effective Date: 12/01/2025

Summary of Changes

New Program Manual chapter addressing policy, process, background and training information for completing the Nebraska VR Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Interview. Enhancements to the Interview form in QE2 and printable ABI Interview form. Created the “What to Expect During Nebraska VR ABI Interview” handout for staff to prepare and educate individuals prior to the Interview, and an “ABI Challenges, Accommodations & Compensatory Strategies” to download from QE2 for use in assessment and career planning after the ABI Interview is completed. Application to Employment chapter will be edited to delete ABI Interview details and refer staff to new Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Interview chapter.

Forms - New or Revised

Nebraska VR ABI Interview

What to Expect During Nebraska VR ABI Interview

Functional Cognitive Asessment Referral

QE2 Update

Enhancements include:

• ABI Interview Declination for 1. Application marked incorrectly or 2. Did not wish to participate
• Added Step 1. Share the "What to Expect..." handout before completing the ABI Interview
• Removed "Living Setting" checkboxes
• Clarified between external injuries (traumatic) and internal illnesses/health conditions (non-traumatic)
• Added associated Cognitive Domains for Challenges 
• Added frequency options and descriptions for Challenges
• Added a few new Challenges (inhbition, language/communication, emotional)
• Added numbering for Challenges for easier data entry
• Added instructions and a downloadable “ABI Challenges, Accommodations & Compensatory Strategies” handout for individuals after ABI Interview is completed
• Visual summary of Challenges in each Cognitive Domain on the ABI Interview Forms page

To Do

Destroy old printed copies of the ABI Interview Form. Make printed copies of the new "What to Expect During Nebraska VR ABI Interview" handout available for staff to use (75 copies will be sent to each office initially). Order more copies on a quarterly basis as needed.

Team Communication

Discuss new chapter and handouts in a team meeting.

VRIS Posting

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Interview

https://webforms.nebraska.gov/program_manual_chapters/1231

Application to Employment Program

https://webforms.nebraska.gov/program_manual_chapters/active_edited_drafts/1237

Monitoring Requirements

Office Directors can monitor ABI Interview completions for their teams in: QE2 > Case Management > Case Services > Reports > ABI Interview Forms.

Training Dates

November 24, 2025 at 1:00 pm CT and November 25, 2025 at 10:00 am CT via Zoom (ASL Interpreter available).