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CHIRS

Community Head Injury Resource Services

Ashby Community Support Services (ACSS)

 
 
 

Ashby Community Support Services (ACSS):

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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CCDI
We at CHIRS acknowledge that we are visitors on this land which was originally named Tkaronto and is the traditional territories of the Anishinabee, the Haudenosaunee, the Mississaugas of the Credits, and the Wendat peoples. We also acknowledge the vast diversity of Indigenous people who have lived, and who are currently caring for this land locally and across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that this land is covered by Treaty 13 and One Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant. CHIRS will continue to walk together with all people to nurture all their abilities and gifts to better this land. CHIRS is aware that this acknowledgement is only first steps and actions are needed to truly honour the relationship with the land and Indigenous people.
CHIRS works in partnership with Ontario Health and the Government of Ontario
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