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CHIRS

Community Head Injury Resource Services

Ashby Community Support Services (ACSS)

 
 
 

Ashby Community Support Services (ACSS):

Judy Moir, Director of Programs and Services

Judy is an experienced ABI specialist with more than 25 years working in the field in positions ranging from front-line care to program development to representing ABI issues at the system level. She is an alumnus of CHIRS, rejoining after time in leadership roles at the Toronto ABI Network and GTA Rehab Network.  Judy started her career in Winnipeg, Manitoba working with adults with mental illness (particularly schizophrenia and autism).  In the early 1990s she moved to Toronto and her career with CHIRS began. Judy was part of the first team hired to open the St. Georges Residence. Over her first 10 years with CHIRS she held various positions, including Residential Facilitator, Community Facilitator, Service Coordinator, and Intake Coordinator. In 2000 she took time off to be with her children and complete a Master's Degree in Public Administration at Queen's University.

Subsequently Judy spent almost 8 years as the Assistant Executive Director of the Toronto ABI Network and GTA Rehab Network and one as the Executive Director. These roles helped her expand her knowledge of the healthcare system, enhance her project management skills, and work in partnership with people from across the system advocating for the needs of those affected by brain injury.  It also allowed Judy to see how many people continue to struggle to find and access the ABI services they need.

With this perspective and these experiences under her belt, Judy returned to CHIRS. In Judy's words, "Having had the opportunity to observe many parts of the system at work, I recognize the incredible contribution that CHIRS makes to the community and I am excited to again be part of a team that offers solutions that the system needs".

Ashby Community Support Services (ACSS)

Ashby Community Support Services (ACSS) and Finch Residence are designed to provide support to individuals with an acquired brain injury who are living in the community. Facilitators work collaboratively with in-house clinical specialists and consultants to support the individual as they pursue personal goals related to living independently, staying productive, building social networks, and participating in their community.

Staff assistance is provided in the areas of home management, personal management, skill development, education and employment. Our staff work with clients and their families to build positive every day routines and tailor support to maximize the client's opportunities for success. Staff support clients on a one-to-one or a group basis.

A Care and Service plan is developed with the client and their families based on an assessment conducted at time of admission. Additional assessments are conducted to periodically evaluate the plan for services. Assessments are conducted through interviews, questionnaires/survey and direct observations, both in the client's home and the community.

The majority of teaching and training occurs in the environment where it is needed; and issues of cognition are addressed at every level of participation. Community Support Services (CSS) staff work with clients in their environment to teach skills such as:

  • money management and budgeting;
  • medical management and assistance to ensure appropriate follow-up;
  • activities of household management, such as grocery shopping and meal planning
  • community orientation, travel training and how to access community resources;
  • time management and scheduling;

Some teams within the CSS Department have specific areas of expertise and work with clients that may require a different type of specialized support:

Fee-For-Service Customized Employment Supports and Program:

Individualized and customized supports and services may be developed on a fee-for-service (FFS) basis to assist an individual obtain and/or maintain a paid or unpaid (volunteer) position. Supports and services may include any of the supports and services listed above, under the ODSP Employment Supports Program.

WSIB Specialized Services:

CHIRS is an approved WSIB vendor for Specialized Services. Under this program, CHIRS provides work experience services and other WSIB Return to Work (RTW) related services. Those services are provided only upon a referral from a WSIB Work Transition Specialist.

Supported Employment:

CHIRS' clients, receiving either residential services or community supports have access to supported employment supports as part of their primary support. Their CHIRS primary worker will consult with CHIRS employment team to see if a referral is suitable to either CHIRS ODSP ES program or to the FFS ES program. If CHIRS clients are not suitable for either of these programs, employment supports will be provided by primary staff in consultation with CHIRS employment team.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these employment programs, please contact our intake department - intake@chirs.com.

Aging At Home (AAH)

The Aging at Home team provides similar types of community support but have a unique focus on providing support to those individuals living with aging caregivers.  One of the objectives of this team is to explore opportunities and activities that may offer respite to the families providing care.

NeuroBehavioural Intervention Program

The Neurobehavioural Intervention Program Team provides group and individual support to those with acquired brain injury and substance use and/or mental health issues. This team includes an Addiction Counsellor and a dedicated Behaviour Therapist. Additionally, all staff have ABI, substance use, and mental health training. The team is closely supervised by Dr. Lemsky, CHIRS' Clinical Director and neuropsychologist, and works with addiction and mental health services providers in the community. CHIRS offers a number of groups to support individuals who are struggling with addictions. Groups are recommended for clients who are working on abstinence or are willing to participate in a plan towards such a goal. Participants should be willing to engage with peers and have the potential to generate skills learned to settings outside of the group.  Generalization outside of the group is most likely when a person is interested in learning the material, and feels ready, willing and able to make a change in their behaviour and skills. In some instances, potential clients may be asked to meet with the team leader to ensure they have the cognitive, communication and behavioural abilities to benefit from the group

 
     
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CHIRS works in partnership with Ontario Health and the Government of Ontario
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