About BRAINTRUST Canada
Our basic philosophical underpinnings are rooted
in the idea of maximum independence with
minimum professional supports.
Our experience has taught us that most people
want to continue to be part of their community
following brain injury.
Our philosophy supports using existing services
where appropriate, and using “natural” supports
such as friends, family and peers wherever
possible. However, brain injury is a highly specific
treatment area. Most generic service providers and
peer or family supports require professional guidance and training to provide effective and
meaningful support.
We believe every individual is due respectful support that begins with the recognition that individuals
with disabilities are not abnormal or deficient but,
instead, reflect the normal diversity of the human
community.
We believe in providing opportunities for people to experience
life in a typical way, with emphasis on the individual’s abilities and
ensuring that a supportive atmosphere exists with appropriate
supports to facilitate freedom of choice in the least restrictive way
possible.
We believe in encouraging family involvement
and working towards enhancement of an
individual’s social role within a network of family,
friends, advocates and the community.
We believe we are accountable to our clients
and their families for the services we
provide, ensuring that individuals supported by
our service regain some control over their lives.
We are also accountable to the fundinga gencies to ensure compatibility with their
mandates and cost effective use of limited
resources.
Most importantly, we believe that the majority of brain injuries are preventable
and the most cost effective approach to the problem is the development of effective
prevention strategies.
Staffing
The Association currently employs 15 staff in clinical, support and management positions. Staff hold a variety of degrees from differing disciplines, providing a broad spectrum of expertise to our clients, including Psychology, Rehabilitation Management, Social Work, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Life Skills and Criminology. We offer a comprehensive orientation and training protocol for our staff, taking place over an average period of 12 months. In addition, Association staff played a critical role in the development of the Acquired Brain Injury Certificate Program from Okanagan College, recently recognized as "best practice" training through the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation.
Presentations
- Alberta Brain Injury Conference, Edmonton, AB, March 2007
- Keynote Presentation - Annual Therapy Assistant Conference, Kelowna, BC, 2006
- InterUrban Brain Injury Conference, Peterborough, Ontario, 2005
- Brain Injury Association of America National Conference - Minneapolis, 2002
- Pacific Coast Brain Injury Conference Vancouver, 2002
- Pacific Coast Brain Injury Conference Vancouver, 2001
- NATCON – National Conference on Employment Ottawa – 2001
- BC Health Associations Conference on Continuing Care - Vancouver - 2001
- New Beginnings – National Conference on Brain Injury - Halifax, 2000
Publications
- Choosing Change Manual - A Guide to Self-Esteem Work Groups, 2001
- The Family Guide to the Critical Care Phase of Recovery from Brain Injury, 1997
- The Family Guide to the Critical Care Phase of Recovery from Brain Injury also published by the British Columbia Ministry of Children and Families in its Acquired Brain Injury Community Resource Kit, 2000
- The Family Guide to the Rehabilitation Phase of Recovery from Brain Injury, 1997
- KEEP – Keys to Enhancing the Employment Process – Cross Disability, 2000
- KEEP – Keys to Enhancing the Employment Process – Acquired Brain Injury, 2000
- Boelcke, E., Howell, J., & Rankmore D. Returning to Employment, Brain Injury Survivor and Caregiver Education Manual, Aspen Press, June, 1998.
- Donaghy, S, & Williams, W. New protocol for training severely impaired patients in the usage of memory journals, Brain Injury, 12,12,1061-1076, 1998.
Clients
The Association draws its revenue from a wide variety of sources. Funding streams include Health Authority Service Contracts, Federal and Provincial Ministry contracts, direct service contracts, special events, corporate partnerships, gaming revenues, United Way membership and grant writing. A partial listing of our clients follows:
- Interior Health Authority
- Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
- Provincial Brain Injury Program
- IHA Regional Brain Injury Program
- Okanagan Similkameen Health Region
- Ministry of Health - Provincial Programs Branch
- Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security – Vocational Rehabilitation Services
- Ministry of Human Resources
- Human Resource Development Canada
- Ministry of Community Development Cooperatives and Volunteers
- Vancouver Foundation
- Rick Hansen Institute
- Workers' Compensation Board
- Cunningham Lindsay Insurance Company
- Great West Life
- Office of the Public Trustee
- BC Ability Centre
- Alberta School Employee Benefits Program
- Personal Injury Law Firms
- Community Rehabilitation Agencies
- BC Lotteries Corporation
Related information:
Organizational Programs | Board of Directors | Membership | Volunteer | Employment Opportunities
