Coordinated Okanagan Brain Injury Services - COBIS
COBIS embraces a “whatever it takes” approach to service delivery. Disability arising from brain injury presents in varied and complex ways. To appropriately and accurately provide meaningful support our service delivery model provides a thorough and realistic assessment of the impact of injury on daily functioning, identifies areas of support required and implements unique strategies tailor made to individual difficulties.
Our services also embody the concept of “ecological validity”, that is interventions should be relevant to the culture, environment or community the individual is most familiar with or comfortable with.
The majority of clients progress through a series of steps in the process of support:
- Intake
- Assessment
- Community Support Planning
- Implementation of Community Support Strategies
- Review, Evaluation Re-assessment and Plan Modification
- Support to Independence
Some clients do not progress through the service in a linear manner or complete all components. Some clients who have been with the agency for a longer period of time require episodic support relating to situational problem solving. Additionally some clients simply request discreet, one-time support, and do not engage in full service.
Intake
All clients are seen by one Intake Coordinator. Contact (250) 762-3233 or info@braintrustcanada.com
The purpose of Intake is to ascertain the existence of acquired brain injury, determine service needs and assess the appropriateness of the referral.
If the referral is appropriate basic information is also gathered during the Intake.
Assessment
Data is collected from relevant third parties (neuropsychological assessments, financial assistance information, physician records, mental health providers, ABI Acute Care Coordinator, Outpatient Neuro Rehabilitation Program-ONRP, Home and Community Care Minimum Data Set, etc.)
The client is interviewed for additional information on 21 domains relevant to successful community living.
Family Support
Community Support System
Spiritual and Cultural
Medical
Physical Health
Sexual Health
Functional Recall Memory
Executive Function
Communication
Activities of Daily Living
Psycho Social Functioning
Behavioural Functioning
Financial
Transportation
Residential
Legal
Vocational
Avocational
Leisure & Recreation
Co-Existing Diagnoses
Service Providers
Assessment data is used to inform the development of the Community Support Plan
Community Support Planning
The Community Support Plan is developed with the client and with other relevant parties as appropriate and as indicated by the Intake and Assessment process (family members, roommate, ONRP, Public Guardian, etc.)
The plan will include relevant areas of difficulty to be addressed by the client and providers and methods for working toward resolution.
The plan will include goals and plans from other supporting partners such as rehabilitation goals.
The plan is written and shared with relevant parties as agreed to by the client.
Implementation of Community Support Strategies
The plan is enacted with available resources.
Methods for implementation may include scheduled direct support by a staff Support Facilitator, supported actions under the direction of a Community Support Coordinator, and independent actions.
The Community Support Coordinator also provides liaison and referral with other supporting parties and coordinates information dissemination and changes to the Support Plan.
Activities often include strategies to support residential stability, development of compensatory strategies to replace areas of dysfunction, advocacy assistance in gaining access to statutory services, assistance with financial management, family support, adjustment support, peer support , and support leading to vocational goals.
Review, Evaluation Re-assessment and Plan Modification
Client situations are ever changing. As such, Support Plans must respond to changing situations to remain relevant.
Clients are reviewed weekly at a minimum, and clients in emergent need are reviewed daily.
Client review is accomplished through our trans-disciplinary team. Each member of the team is expected to contribute to solution planning for all clients - regardless of involvement. Additionally, staff meet jointly with other parties where involvement is significant (Home and Community Care staff, Mental Health staff, Public Guardian & Trustee, Financial Aid workers).
Plans are dynamic and often fluid, allowing responsive action to emergent needs.
Support to Independence
Throughout the process of support all clients are counseled regarding independent living. All activities of the support plan are focused toward reduction in support - where appropriate. For many clients this means a gradual reduction in support as indepencence in the community is gained.
Group Support
Not all clients of COBIS fit a model of service that delineates a clear path to independence. Some clients require lifetime support to live in the community. Some live in supported residential settings, requesting only occasional social support.
To assist clients in specific need areas and to assist clients in an ongoing fashion, staff have developed a number of group oriented services.
Cognitive and Social Enhancement Groups (CASE)
Case groups are structured for clients with limited insight and independence.
Groups take place for 1.5 hours twice weekly.
They encompass areas of participation focused at social interaction and informal cognitive skill development.
Managing Your Emotions
This is a structured group taking place over an 8 week period.
Clients are referred to the group who have emotional management issues.
Choosing Change
This is a structured group taking place over an 8 week period.
Clients are referred to the group who have issues relating to self esteem and adjustment to injury.
Forward
This is a structured group taking place every 2 weeks over a 16 week period.
The purpose of the group is to provide participants with skills for self care and mutual support and is based on the welness wheel.
Connections
In an informal group held each month. This group is designed to assist active clients with occasional fact finding support. I.e.: Info on tax services, identifying recreational resources or volunteer opportunities and provides an opportunity for active members to meet and support each other.
Brain Injury Education Group
Is held in Vernon monthly and provides a peer support model to educate and build resources and relationships.
Caregiver Support
This is an facilitated educational and peer support group taking place monthly.
The purpose of the group is to share experience and gain knowledge and emotional support and is offered in both Kelowna and Vernon.
Read about the Swing into Action Golf Marathon and the OCBI Conference.
Related information:
Community Support
| Family Support | Child & Youth Services | Vocational Support
