New Services for Individuals with an Acquired Brain Injury
Steps are being taken to enhance community outreach capacity and service coordination for residents with an acquired brain injury in Northwestern Ontario.
"Our government is committed to ensuring quality of life for all Ontarians, and BISNO provides such important services to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. I’m delighted to see this new funding which will help more Northern Ontarians with acquired brain injuries to live as independently as possible, knowing that they have the care and support of BISNO behind them." Michael Gravelle, MP Thunder Bay-Superior North
The North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) has provided $715,000 of new funding to the Brain Injury Services of Northern Ontario (BISNO) to establish new services across the region including:
- A District Facilitator is being established in Dryden and Fort Frances. An alternate model is being developed on the north shore area of Lake Superior. The District Facilitators will provide structured support to individuals in all aspects of their community life to maximize the client’s overall level of functioning and independence.
- In Sioux Lookout a Cultural Advisor has been recruited to assist with the increasing demand for culturally safe, relevant and appropriate services for First Nations individuals living with the affects of acquired brain injury.
- A Facilitator and a Team Leader are joining the Healthy Life Styles Group in Thunder Bay. This program focuses on clients with an acquired brain injury and an addiction. It has shown impressive results regarding clients’ success in the community and avoidance of emergency department visits.
- A Family Therapist will work with families, individuals and existing therapists in the region to provide training and support.
- The Intake Coordinator position at BISNO is being expanded to enhance coordination and navigation of acquired brain injury services.
- Assisted living for 4-individuals in Andras Court Phase II.
These new services are about improving the client experience for individuals with an acquired brain injury and providing more opportunities for these individuals to access services.
QUOTES
“This funding will provide many benefits to individuals with an acquired brain injury including support to live independently in the community and reduced visits to the emergency room. Services are being provided in the Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay Districts, enhancing client care close to home.”– Laura Kokocinski, CEO, North West LHIN
“With the new funding, BISNO has been able to expand its assisted living for four high need individuals living with the effects of acquired brain injury. We have helped move an individual out of the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital and into the community, transitioned an individual from the children’s mental health sector, prevented a young woman from entering a long-term care facility and settled a young transient male into stable housing.”– Alice Bellavance, Executive Director, BISNO
“BISNO provides an invaluable service to their clients over a very large area. I am happy that this new funding will allow the staff to continue to deliver tremendous service, and reach people closer to home.”– Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay-Atikokan
“I am pleased to hear of this announcement and I hope it will bring much needed support to this region. This program will enhance the quality of life for many, including those living with brain injuries, their families and extended support network.”– Howard Hampton, MPP Kenora-Rainy River
FAST FACTS
Both the North West and North East LHINS and Erie St. Clair LHIN have the highest rates of both traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury in the province.
According to the Ontario Alliance for Action on Brain Injury and The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, Acquired Brain Injury is the leading cause of death and disability for Canadians under the age of 45.
The annual incidence of traumatic brain injury is greater than that of spinal cord injuries, HIV/AIDS, and breast cancer combined.
The North West LHIN is responsible for planning, integrating and funding local health services – hospitals, long term care facilities, the community care access centre, community health centres, community support services and mental health and addictions agencies. The North West LHIN and its Board of Directors are responsible for over $560 million of health care services delivered in Northwestern Ontario.
