Supporting Brain Injury and Stroke Since 1983

What We Do / Programs and Services

Also see: How to access NABIS services.

The NABIS Brain Injury Society has been doing whatever it takes for over 27 years to ensure brain injury survivors and caregivers receive adequate support.

The following are some of the programs and services at NABIS:

Service Coordination

Program Purpose: To coordinate services for individuals (age 18 or older) and families, who are affected by acquired a brain injury.

Your Service Coordinator will provide:

Case Coordination
• Assist those affected by brain injury to connect with required resources and services (housing, financial, leisure/recreation, education, health, vocation, rehabilitation, entitlements, social opportunities etc.).
• Information and referral
• On-going support
• An action plan based on client needs
• Personal Advocacy
• Information and connection to existing Alberta Brain Injury Initiative programs (including ‘Supports for Community Living’)

Survey and Promote Increased Community Capacity
• Promote participation of clients in community and services that already exist
• Identify ‘gaps in service’ and explore how organizations might meet those needs
• Consult with community professionals, survivors, caregivers to strategize how people affected by brain injury could be further served
• Become a resource team member with other professionals in providing service to person’s with a brain injury and their family in their community
• Create awareness about brain injury within the community

Support and Information
• Assist survivors and their family/caregivers in determining and addressing their personal support, service requirements
• Provide information about brain injury, resources and educational opportunities to survivors, families and professionals and formal caregivers

Caregiver and Family Support
• Family/caregiver input and participation is honored and included inperson centered planning
• Caregiver support and education is provided as needed with the option of entering the NABIS Support
Facilitation Program

Support Facilitation

The Support Facilitation Program is accessible at any point during the recovery process and is on going as needed.

One to One Supportive Counseling:

This service includes one to one sessions designed to assist individuals, couples, and families with discovering and utilizing resources and strategies for maximizing wellness after brain injury. This process may include a review of intake information; identifying personal strengths and needs for support; goal setting; information about brain injury; introduction to coping strategies and educational resources; and/or referral to other resources.

Support Groups & Education:

Support groups are the cornerstone of brain injury societies across North America. They are about people who have been affected by brain injury (both survivors and caregivers) coming together to receive and to share strength and encouragement from knowing that there are others struggling with similar concerns and looking for practical solutions. NABIS also periodically offers workshops and short-term courses designed to respond to specific client needs. In the past these have included the topics of anger management, parenting, self-esteem, and brain injury, substance abuse and other psychosocial issues. Special focus groups have been designed to provide support for young adults, women, caregivers, and to facilitate peer interaction

Support-Focused Advocacy:

NABIS strives to empower and equip individuals and families to be their own best advocates in attaining quality services. Support-focused advocacy helps clients attain an improved quality of life by gaining access to appropriate services and community supports.

Family and Caregiver Support:

Short term counseling, support groups, education, and advocacy are available to family members and caregivers of brain injury survivors.

Current Groups:
For more detailed information about Support Services (Edmonton), for intake appointments, and to inquire about groups, please phone Teresa or Jaimie at (780) 479-1757.

NABIS’ Support Groups: There is no fee for support groups or workshops but participants are invited to become members of NABIS. Pre-registration is required; contact Teresa or Jaimie. New members are welcome, as space permits. See Calendar for group meeting times and dates.

Young Adult Groups
Thursday Evenings, 7 – 9 pm
Facilitator: Jaimie Schmidt
These groups are for young adult survivors of brain injury between the ages of 18 and 30. The young adult groups are dedicated to encouraging peer support, self-awareness, adjustment and social inclusion. Our focus continues to be on promoting adjustment and personal growth through positive peer relationships, facilitated discussion and creative expression.
Opportunities for sharing, identifying and developing coping strategies and creating natural peer supports are explored during the course of each meeting. The group meets bi-monthly for two hours each session, with programmed activities and community events taking place on alternative dates.

The Amazing Brain: an In Depth Look at Brain Injury and the Recovery Process
Edmonton Office
Wednesday mornings, 10:00 - 11:30 AM.
May 5,12,19.26, June 2,9 and 16
Facilitator:  Teresa LaRocque-Walker.
Call Teresa to register 780.479.1757.

Club NABIS Edmonton Office
Every Second and Last Wednesday of the month (with some exceptions — see the NABIS calender)
1:30—3:00 pm
Club NABIS is a psycho educational group which offers NABIS clients the opportunity to further develop their communication skills, while learning about a variety of topics. Under the direction of Support Facilitator Teresa LaRocque-Walker, staff and community volunteers present on a wide range of topics designed to assist individuals with acquired brain injury in developing social and communication skills in a friendly, safe environment. This group meets on the second and last Wednesday of every month. Drop in’s most welcome!  Call Teresa for registration 780.479.1757.

Women’s Support Group Edmonton Office
Fridays 10:00 – 11:45 am from Jan 15 - June 25, 2010 except:  Mar 12, April 9 and May 14 2010.
NABIS group room, Facilitator: Teresa LaRocque-Walker
For adult women survivors of brain injury, this group focuses on issues related to women, health and wellness and provides opportunities for peer support.

Caregiver’s Support Group Edmonton Office
Alternating Thursdays 7:00–9:00 pm Except April 1st
NABIS group room, Facilitator: Teresa LaRocque-Walker
This group is designed for individuals who are providing support to someone who has sustained a brain injury. Topics of discussion include: understanding brain injury, self-care, strategies for coping, healthy grieving, changing roles, community resources and more.

Understanding Brain Injury Support Group Edmonton Office

One Friday a Month, 10 - 11:30 am,  March 12, April 9, May 14, 2010
NABIS group room, Facilitators: Teresa LaRocque-Walker and Jaimie Schmidt

For individuals interested in learning more about the brain, brain injury and strategies for positive living.  This introductory session is designed to offer information and provide support to survivors and caregivers.

Information Program NABIS continues to offer comprehensive, up to date information related to brain injury and community resources both on our website and by phone. Service staff now play a role in responding to calls coming in to NABIS every day. This change has proven to better serve our community as we can ensure that the team member assigned to answer the information call line will be available. Furthermore, sharing the responsibility of providing information has afforded everyone on the team with a better shared understanding of current brain injury and community resources. NABIS’ Information Program actively participates in the community through attending an information display at the University of Alberta Neurosurgery Unit, as well as conducting numerous other community presentations.

Intakes: The Intake Coordinator, Carolyn Biron, processes intakes made by self-referral or referral from professionals supporting those living in the community. She also works directly with hospital staff to arrange for NABIS support to commence upon discharge.  Call 780 479-1757 Ext. 19