Brain Injury Services (BIS)

The Brain Injury Services (BIS) of Universal Rehabilitation Service Agency (URSA) is committed to providing customized rehabilitation to persons with a brain injury through partnerships with clients and the community.

We are committed to work in partnership with persons with brain injuries and their family for as long as necessary, to enhance and strengthen community participation.

BIS will provide professional support to individuals in their efforts to experience quality of life within their chosen activities and community roles.

Brain Injury Services Statement of Values:

  • Client Empowerment
  • Client Centered Results
  • Informed Decision Making
  • Open Communication
  • Mutual Respect and Obligation
  • Personal Growth and Development
  • Meaningful Rehabilitation
  • Innovative Ideas
  • Team Approach

Brain Injury Services offers wholistic customized rehabilitation to suit an individuals needs. URSA's aim is to increase functional independence and quality of life and to support individuals who are recovering from a brain injury.

Individuals admitted to the program must:

  • Be medically stable
  • Be free of active substance abuse
  • Have no serious behavioral or psychological issues
  • Be seeking support to be independent and included within the community

Where does rehabilitation take place?

Located in Calgary, Alberta, rehabilitation services and support are provided at any stage of recovery, for as long as necessary, including over a lifetime:

  • Within the community
  • Within the individual's home
  • Within the individual's workplace
  • Any combination of these

Rehabilitation can take place at the URSA campus or in the community at a previously negotiated time throughout the day or week.

Referrals for Service

Referrals can be made by a variety of sources: the individuals themselves, family, friends, physician, other support professionals, funding sources, lawyers, etc.

The steps involved in the referral process are as follows:

1. Referral is made by contacting BIS directly
2. Information is gathered from client and other sources (family, physician, other programs etc.)
3. Personal interviews with the client
4. Funding options are explained
5. URSA and client agree that services will meet the individual's needs
6. Funding is approved
7. Services are initiated

Rehabilitation Process

The rehabilitation process takes the individual through each step of the rehabilitation journey. The process begins with an assessment period during which time a comprehensive and integrated package of formal assessments of the individual's physical, social, emotional, intellectual and cognitive needs and capabilities is undertaken.

The rehabilitation process is completed in partnership with the individual and various members of the team. The outcome to the assessment process is a customized program, which is developed in partnership with the individual and directed towards his/her rehabilitation goals.

There are a number of items that Brain Injury Services completes to ensure that the rehabilitation interventions and service plan are meeting the objectives:

  • A formal annual conference is held to review and discuss the ongoing Rehabilitation Service Plan
  • Progress checks are completed with the individuals
  • Meetings are held with the rehabilitative team regularly to ensure the service, therapeutic interventions are reviewed and are meeting the needs of the individual
  • Client/family feedback and satisfaction is crucial. Open communication is encouraged between the URSA rehabilitation team, client and family members.

Fee Structure

According to personal circumstances, individuals have a variety of options to assist them with funding:

  • Private funding
  • Government funding (Alberta Seniors and Community Supports, Persons with Developmental Disabilities)
  • Third party insurance
  • Workers' Compensation Board
  • Calgary Health Region
  • Fee for service

This means that the individual or their sponsor pays URSA directly for the rehabilitation services provided. Contract funding is available for some services.

Programs offered within Brain Injury Services:

  • Easy Street Environments
  • Wholistic Day Program-Brain Injury
  • Supports for Community Living Services (SCLS)
  • Community Integration Program (CIP)
  • Transitional Brain Injury Project (TBIP)
  • Personal Care Homes (PCH)
  • Subsidized apartments

URSA thanks the Alberta Brain Injury Network for their financial support for this web page.