PROGRAM AND SERVICES GUIDE

STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

The provision of support services is based on the following beliefs:

We rigorously promote the rights of the individual and promote recognition of acquired brain injury and how it affects individuals and families through ongoing advocacy and public education.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Access to the programs and services by Brain Injury Community Re-entry is based on the following criteria:

INTAKE SERVICES

To receive information on services, individuals can contact the BICR office to speak to the Intake Coordinator. The Intake Coordinator will:

There are times when, due to a large number of applications, a waiting list exists. It is important to contact BICR early in an individual's rehabilitation to initiate the application process.

Intake Application

CASE COORDINATION

Case Coordination is a time-limited service that provides initial service coordination to individuals who are deemed eligible. This support may include:

PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

Psychological Services help people to understand and change what they do, so that they can function better and enjoy life more with people that matter. The areas addressed by our Psychologist include:

The main focus for psychology in rehabilitation for persons with a brain injury is to enable participants, families and those who provide support to understand and act in ways that result in progress toward goals that matter.

SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM

The Social Work Department at BICR offers services to both the individuals with a brain injury, as well as family members. The Social Worker program is personalized and goal-oriented and includes:

PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS TRAINING PROGRAM

In partnership with the Ontario March of Dimes, Personal Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.) offers day programming for individuals who require assistance with developing skills prior to looking for work, volunteer placements or becoming active in the community.

Individuals in this program may attend sessions at the March of Dimes and have an interest in the following:

VOCATIONAL PROGRAM

Brain Injury Community Re-entry (Niagara) Inc., developed a Vocational Services component in November of 1999 for the purpose of assisting participants in identifying work related goals based upon their interests and abilities.

BICR serves individuals who have sustained an acquired brain injury and are willing to commit to a vocational goal. The vocational options are as follows:

Within Vocational Services there are various groups offered to participants that assist in job readiness. These include: Volunteer Ventures, Headstart Program, Work, Rest and Play (WRAP) and Horticulture Therapy.

RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

BICR provides service and support to individuals who are interested in accessing and expanding social and recreational opportunities within the community. Recreation Services include:

A quarterly publication entitled Learning and Leisure Guide along with a Recreation Calendar provides an outline of recreational and therapeutic group activities being offered. Ongoing groups include:

Day trips and vacation opportunities throughout the year include:

COMMUNITY OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES

Community Outreach Support Services (COSS) provides support to individuals living in the community. Each person receives individualized support from a Case Facilitator to determine their goals in relation to work, education, home and leisure activities. Services include:

TRANSITIONAL APARTMENT PROGRAM (BUCKLEY TOWERS)

Based in the city of Niagara Falls this program provides transitional living opportunities for participants. Each individual lives in their own apartment with rental costs geared to income. A separate apartment is maintained for staff.  Hours of support are based on the requirements of the participants. Apartments are located on various floors throughout the building.

The program is designed to help participants become more independent by developing their independent and living skills over a period of 18 to 24 months.

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

BICR currently operates three community based residential homes that are located throughout the Niagara Region: two in Welland and one in St. Catharines. These homes provide staffing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Each participant is involved in developing their own rehabilitation goals with assistance from the Case Facilitator and Rehabilitation Counsellors. All programs and scheduled activities are created based on the participant's needs and interests. The role of the staff is to assist participants with a variety of tasks, including activities of daily living, participating in meaningful, productive activities and establishing frequent community involvement. An individual's rehabilitation is based on the mutual effort between the participant, family members, staff and partnerships in the community.

VOLUNTEER SERVICES

The active participation of citizens of the community provides a valued service to BICR. The agency accepts and encourages the involvement of volunteers at all levels of the agency and within all appropriate programs and activities.

BICR offers volunteer services to its participants on an ongoing basis (if necessary). The following volunteer programs are currently in place:

If you think you may benefit from any of these programs, please speak to the Intake Coordinator.

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Educational Services provide a series of informative workshops for staff, participants and families. A variety of topics are offered throughout the year to address varied needs. Topics may include acquired brain injury education, understanding depression, coping with memory problems and managing time effectively. All educational opportunities are featured in the Learning and Leisure Guide which is distributed quarterly to all registered participants and family members.