Making Connections: A Network for Change
The Alberta Brain Injury Initiative (Network) through Alberta Community Development, was launched September 2000, to address the needs of adults with acquired brain injury. The aim of the initiative is to provide province-wide community support services to enable persons with brain injuries work, live and participate in their communities.
The Network is comprised of four elements: Support, Coordination, Community Capacity and Prevention. These elements will be developed through contracts with community-based agencies for the provision of service coordinators in all regions of the province.
Support: The service coordinators will provide a supportive role in assisting survivors and their families/caregivers to access the supports they require from the appropriate authority. Initially, it is important that baseline data is captured regionally and provincially that establishes the availability and extent to which supports are accessed and/or required.
- Community Development has contracted with community agencies to provide service coordinators to identify the support needs of survivors, families/caregivers and communities.
- A standardized provincial client based intake information system is developed and implemented for use of the service coordinators.
- Provincial baseline data of survivor’s support needs will be captured through the on-going activities of the coordinators.
Coordination: The Network’s service coordinators will build on existing links and establish new opportunities for collaboration in their respective regions.
- Contracted agencies will identify community assets and capacities through the development of a resource inventory data base.
- Network opportunities will be created through participation in public and education opportunities and involvement in existing or new community forums.
- Service Coordinators will assist families/caregivers in connecting with available resources.
Community Capacity: We recognize and respect the assets and capacities of communities across Alberta and their desire to be directly involved in decisions and solutions that impact them. The Alberta Brain Injury Network will challenge individuals and communities to create new partnerships and find innovation solutions to include individuals with acquired brain injury as participating members.
- Each region will be assisted to engage in a "Community Action Coalition Process" to identify provincial core priorities and regional action plans.
- Service Coordinators and members of the Interim Advisory Council will be available to participate in community Educational opportunities, speaking engagements, forums, etc.
- Service Coordinators will promote and distribute written educational and awareness material within communities.
Prevention: The Alberta Brain Injury Network will strive to support the development of an informed and caring community through initiatives that promote prevention of acquired brain injures, as well as increased awareness and understanding of capacities and desire of survivors to be contributing members of their communities.
- On behalf of Community Development, the Alberta Centre of Injury and Control and Research is coordinating applied research into the incidence, prevalence, and care-giving costs associated with acquired brain injury.
Supports for Community Living
This new initiative was launched in 2003 to provide Supports for Community Living services to individuals affected by brain injury in their own homes, in their own communities.
The purpose of this program is to provide assistance to those eighteen years of age and over, to attain an optimal quality of life in their community while preserving and respecting their individual rights and dignity.
Specific objectives are determined by the individual survivor's needs, strengths, and are outlined in the Individual Service Plan.
The service is survivor directed and is provided on a one-to-one basis.
The Supports for Community Living (SCL) staff are contracted to provide assistance to survivors according to the Individual Service Plan.
Under the guidance of the Service Coordinators for the South Region the Supports for Community Living staff will assist the survivor of brain injury by:
- Providing emotional and social support
- Assisting with budget planning
- Assistance in meal planning, preparation and grocery shopping
- Assistance in developing daily living skills such as personal hygiene, domestic skills and social skills
- Assistance in using community resources such as bus routes, shopping centres, community centers, banks, and recreational services.
- Encouraging and supporting participation in meaningful daily activities.
Criteria for Accessing this service
- The individual must be a survivor of a brain injury
- Must be over the age of 18
- Must not be living with 24 hour care/support
All persons with brain injury have the right to services that support them in reaching their highest potential in their community. Properly implemented support services can enhance the quality of life for the person with a brain injury.
For further information please contact South Region Service Coordinators
Lethbridge and Area: Lin Greatorex (403) 320-7402, Lyla Armas (403) 320-7402
Medicine Hat and Area: Cheryl Heaton (403) 528-2661
Alberta Brain Injury Network,
Lethbridge
414 13 Street North,
Lethbridge AB T1H252
Phone (403) 320-7402
Fax (403) 327-7425
Cellular (403) 315-3794