Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON M4G 1R8

Tel: 416-425-6220 Toll-Free: 800-363-2440 Fax: 416-425-6591 E-mail: info@hollandbloorview.ca

www.hollandbloorview.ca

[499.10]

Family Support Service

Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT) at Holland Bloorview

The Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT) serves clientswho require rehabilitation following an AcquiredBrain Injury (ABI).

The goal of the program is to enable children,youth and young adults with brain injuries to recover as fully as possible and return to theirhomes, schools and communities.

“Thank you for helping me succeed in reaching my goals.”

- ABI survivor

“Talking to the Family SupportService team helped me understand my son’s brain injury more and learn newways to deal with it.”

- A mother of an ABI survivor

“The Family Support Serviceteam helped me and my familyget organized, problem solveand talk about my worries.”

- ABI survivor

Contact Us

Anyone can a make a referral, call 416 425-6220,ext. 6460

A staff member will discuss with you what services are available.

About Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital isCanada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital.

Our vision is to create a world of possibility forkids with disability. We pioneer treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programsthat give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.

Holland Bloorview serves about 7,000 childreneach year, with about 600 inpatient admissionsand 58,000 outpatient visits. Holland Bloorview isa world-class teaching hospital fully affiliated withthe University of Toronto. We train future health-care specialists in the field of childhood disability.The Bloorview Research Institute is located onsite,allowing us to integrate cutting-edge research andteaching with frontline care to improve children’squality of life.

Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT)

Providing support for youth andyoung adults (16-25 years old)living with Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI) and their families

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Acquired Brain Injury

When someone has an ABI, it affects everyone intheir family. Everyone has to learn how to copewith the changes that may happen.

People with brain injuries may find that there arechanges with friends, family or people at work andschool, which may cause stress.

The Family Support Service team can providecounselling and education in your home, community or at Holland Bloorview.

We are here to help.

Who we serve

We work with youth or young adults who:

• are 16 to 25 years old with a documented Acquired Brain Injury

• live in the community in Toronto• would like to improve family, work, school or social relationships

• want to be involved in community activities• want to set and achieve short-term goals withsupport from the Family Support Service team

• are transitioning to adulthood

All services are funded by the Ministry of Healthand Long-Term Care

Services for Community Agencies

Consultation and education are available to professionals and organizations that work withclients with an Aquired Brain Injury.

Professionals are encouraged to contact us forinformation. Tailored presentations can be prepared and delivered upon request.

The Family Support Service team is dedicated to community development and education aboutABI. We participate in community-based projects, such as workshops, groups and networks, in partnership with individuals andorganizations.

Services for professionals can include case-specific:

• consultation and education about the needs ofpeople with ABI and their families

• family and individual counselling strategies forpeople with a brain injury

• community resource consultation about community reintegration

Family Support Service (FSS)

The Family Support Service team can helpindividuals and their families dealing with AcquiredBrain Injury (ABI).

Team members include a Psychologist, Family Therapist and Social Workers who can:

• talk to you about your coping • address concerns related to you or your familymember’s brain injury• help you and your family work together to learnnew ways of living with the brain injury• help you find programs in your community

The Family Support Service team will work with youand your family to develop a plan to address yourunique needs.

Services for individuals and families include:

• counselling and education (individual and/or family) to deal with the changes after the ABI

• help in choosing community programs and services• support in dealing with personal issues, relationships and general life issues related to the brain injury

• skill-building and support groups

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