Acquired Brain Injury Supports for Community Living Program

(SCLS)

SKILLS Society Vision is one of a community where all individuals are valued citizens deserving respect, dignity and rights.

SCLS purpose is to assist Acquired Traumatic Brain Injured (ATBI)/Stroke Survivors to enhance their quality of life while respecting their Individual rights and dignity.

Following several years of collaboration and research with Brain Injury Survivors, Caregivers, Service Providers, and the Ministry Alberta Human Resources; Supports for Community Living Services was launched in 2003 to provide individual support to Brain Injury Survivors in their homes and in their own communities {ABIN: Making Connections: A Network for Change}.

When the program launched staff received training specific to Brain Injury through a program designed by Red Deer College.

Skills Society SCLS staff are experienced and knowledgeable. They participate regularly in Telemental Health videoconferencing, webcasts and stay abreast of current research. These are all relevant to Brain Injury, Caregiver Support, Coping Skill strategies and Community Reintegration.

Skills Society provides mandatory training in several areas: MANDT, First Aid and CPR, Medication Administration, ASIST and Keeping People Safe from Abuse.

Follow Best Practices Guidelines and Standards for Positive Employee Conduct.

Starts with the level of skill the individual is at with the identified task or goal.

Hands on teaching and coaching in skill development including the use of compensatory strategies if needed.

Includes each part of the task from planning to action.

Includes side-by-side approach until maximum independence is achieved.

Includes working collaboratively with other agencies.

Be over 18 years of age and living independently within the community.

Provide documentation of a Brain Injury.

Be ineligible for funding support through Persons with Developmental Disabilities.

Expect improvement of abilities.

Referrals can be made by a health professional, Social Worker, family member or an individual with a brain injury.

Following the referral a meeting will be held with Skills Society staff, the individual and their support network .

Flexible and based on the individuals goals and changing needs.

Maximum of 10 hours per week – includes travel time and administration.

Support fades as the individual increases their skills and/or plateaus.

A partnership approach is used to develop Client Centered Goal Plans.

Each individual’s goals are specific to their needs, dreams, strengths and challenges.

A flexible and innovative approach is utilized to achieve optimal independence.

Goals are formally reviewed every 6 months and are outcome based.

In order to assess the individual’s ability/capacity information from neuropsychological and other assessments, such as Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy; as well as hospital discharge summaries are requested as appropriate.

The starting point of any goal is at the point of that individual’s ability and is therefore variable across the spectrum of skills required for that goal.

The target length of SCL Service is a maximum of 2 years and requests for extensions can be made.

Visits are scheduled in the home or community.

Individuals receiving services are between the ages of 18 and 65. Following a Brain Injury, there may be major life changes including that of role definitions for both the Survivor and their family members.

Cognitive/Thinking Skills

Daily Living Skills

Community Connecting/Citizenship

Personal Support Network

Medical – Physical and Mental Health Needs

Other – other areas that come up are explored for possible SCL Service or referral to an appropriate service.

Problem Solving Attention Organizing Time Management Geographic Orientation Self Awareness – monitoring and regulation Life Adjustment- adapting to changes Memory Coping Skills Self-advocacy Fatigue Management

Household Management - Developing Routines, involves time management and safety

Menu Planning, food purchases, managing the grocery store, following recipes, other

Communication - developing a system for those with speech and/or reading challenges

Money Management - using currency, using bank machines, budgeting

Transportation - public such as using DATS and Buses, help getting operator’s License reinstated

Literacy - as required for daily living needs

Fatigue management

Transportation - training and support to access community resources and initial accompaniment and fading

Leisure/Recreation – includes completing registration forms, initial accompaniment and connection with others

Employment and volunteer work -readiness, strategies at work, task analysis, liaising with employers, referral

Connect with resources including local neighborhood.

Connecting to Brain Injury Community.

Support Caregivers – Connect to Resources such as Caregiver College, Caregiver Association, Supporting Coping Skills and Self Care, referral to Counselling

Contact with family and friends.

Nutrition – Education on health lifestyles including food choices and exercise.

Support Rehabilitation Therapies at home e.g. Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy, Recreational Therapy, Psychological Therapy, etc.

Support and referral for Addictions and Mental Health.

Support Dental Care.

Support Medication Management.

Education on using Pharmacists as a source of information for medication concerns.

Assist in understanding of their Brain Injury and other medical concerns.

Wellbeing – maximize physical, material and emotional wellbeing.

Independence – maximize personal development and self-determination.

Community Connectedness – individuals are engaged with and valued by their communities in the domains of Rights, Social Inclusion and Interpersonal Relations.

Quality Service- Services provided are relevant, effective and efficient. Skills Society is a safe Agency that provides a safe environment for the Individuals served.

Please call Lasha Robert Manager at Skills Society with any questions.

(780)-496-9686 ext 241

To send a referral please email me at

lashar@skillssociety.ca