Community Integration: Relationships

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Community Integration Relationships

• Recreation
• Tami Guerrier
• Coordinator, Project STAR
• Carolinas Rehabilitation
• Charlotte, NC

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Carolinas Rehabilitation
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Carolinas Rehabilitation Research Department

• TBI Model Systems site
• SCI Research with SCI Model Systems Sites
• TBI Project STAR
• HRSA contract
• Clinical Trials Research
• NIH Grants

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Project STAR

• Connection between the hospital and community
  involvement
• Provide Information and Referral Services
• Conduct training on brain injury for service
  providers
• Offer leadership within our state on TBI issues
• Develop community opportunities for individuals
  with TBI

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The Silent Epidemic

• Its like my life changed after my head injury.
  It was real hard to deal with people that were
  used to me being a different way than I was
  before. And there were things that they expected
  that I couldnt do anymore. Because I wasnt in
  a wheel-chair or didnt have scars on my head,
  they couldnt see that I had some real
  difficulties.

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Needs Identified From Survey

• In Home Care
• Cognitive Therapy
• Counseling
• Transportation Assistance
• Assistance with SSI/SSDI
• Community Based Services
• Vocational Assistance

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Most Commonly Cited Needs

• Community Based Services49 identified this as a
  need
• Vocational Assistance58 identified needing
  assistance with return to work

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Why are community opportunities needed for
individuals with TBI?

• Acute rehabilitation length of stay has
  decreased.
• Currently, most community based programs are
  focused on other disabilities.
• Opportunities are lacking which assist return to
  community involvement.
• Community-based needs change over time.

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Method for Developing Community Opportunities

• Assess needs and interests of individuals with
  brain injury and families.
• Assess and explore community resources.
• Determine individuals and/or organizations
  interested in developing a program or service.
• Begin program/service development.

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Community Opportunities Developed by Project STAR

• Community Living Skills Class Central Piedmont
  Community College, Mitchell Community College,
  Caldwell Community College
• Shining STAR Program Mecklenburg County Park and
  Recreation Department-Therapeutic Recreation
  Division

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Community Opportunities Developed by Project STAR

• Volunteer Work Project Collaboration with local
  rose garden
• Buddy System in Rural Areas- Vocational
  Rehabilitation Independent Living
• Support Groups For individuals with brain
  injuries and their families.
• Situation Specific Support Groups---such as for
  children, teens, spouse, wives, singles,
  caregivers, military/veterans and their families.
  

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Types of Support for Community Involvement

• Graduated, supported transition to community
  involvement
• Ongoing support during life transitions
• Continued support in community involvement
• Specialized programs

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Collaboration between a Community College and a
Rehabilitation Program

• Natural setting to teach social interaction
  skills
• Encourages functional use of compensatory
  strategies
• Promotes an image of wellness

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Community Living Class Schedule

• 900-920 Socialize
• 920-930 Planner
• 930-945 Review Goal
• 945-1015 Sharing
• 1015-1030 Break
• 1030-1100 Skill Dev. Activity
• 1100-1130 Travel
• 1130-1230 Lunch
• 1230-130 Tour Museum
• 130-200 Return

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Personal Goal Attainment

• Initial Goal Bring planner to class 90 of
  class sessions.
• Intermediate Goal Respond to visual cues to
  maintain conversation topic.
• Recent Goal Plan social/ leisure activity with
  girlfriend in the community twice a month.

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Project STAR

• Tami Guerrier, Project Director, Project STAR,
  Carolinas Rehabilitation, tami.guerrier_at_carolinash
  ealthcare.org