ADVANCE Acquired Brain Injury Program is an award winning brain injury day treatment program. People who experience a brain injury or other neurological disorder face a multitude of challenges in their daily activities. In 1992, Goodwill’s brain injury program (originally called Second Chance Community Re-entry Program) was born out of necessity to provide both life skills and job training to individuals who had experienced a brain injury.  It is the first program of its kind to be implemented in Georgia outside of Atlanta.

From our highly qualified evaluators to the professional Case Managers assigned to work with you, we focus on assisting the individual with achieving maximum functional capacity. Our Cognitive and Literacy Instructor has years of experience. Our Independent Living Instructor is focused on assisting individuals in recovery.  Within our Workforce Development Department, we have Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Case Managers, Job Coaches, Employment and Training Specialists each with years of experience.

http://www.goodwill.org/news-updates/people-with-brain-injuries-get-back-to-work-in-goodwill-program/

First Steps… Great Strides

At ADVANCE individuals are afforded the opportunity to re-Iearn skills necessary  for independent living and re-entry into the workforce, school and the community.   program plan is customized for each individual to meet his/her needs.

Services begin with an assessment of the individual including their medical records, education and work history. From there, our Evaluators will administer both cognitive assessment and vocational testing to determine the extent of the individual’s cognitive deficits, level of academic functioning , as well as vocational interests and aptitudes. ADVANCE staff will also assess the individual’s  independent living skills as well as personal and social adjustment needs.

ADVANCE Acquired Brain Injury Program staff will design a program plan that provides a wide range of rehabilitation services designed to meet the individual’s needs.

ADVANCE Acquired Brain Injury Program staff will design a program plan that provides a wide range of rehabilitation services designed to meet the individual’s needs.

Cognitive Rehabilitation: An experienced Cognitive and Literacy Instructor will teach the individual cognitive strategies to work with identified deficits in areas such as organizational skills, time management, memory problems, etc.

Independent Living Skills: Relearning the skills necessary for Activities of Daily Living can enable an individual to live independently in the community.

Literacy: A skilled instructor will work with individuals who need academic remediation to secure a GED, return to school, or function on the job.

Personal and Social Adjustment: To address changes in personality and behavior, a Licensed Professional Counselor is available to work one-on-one.

Employment Services: A vast array of services including Work Adjustment Training, Job Readiness, Job Coaching, Job Development, and Job Modification can assist a return to the labor market.

Health Care Services: Through partnerships and collaborations with Health Care Providers, services such as speech therapy, occupational and physical therapy are available.

Peer Support Group: The local Brain Injury Support Group meets at ADVANCE every month

Admissions Policy

The criteria for acceptance into the Goodwill ADVANCE Acquired Brain Injury Program is:

*  have a documented acquired brain injury

*  express a desire to participate with identified goals

*  minimum age of sixteen (16)

*  must be able to care for his/her personal needs or have a personal attendant accompany them

*  must be able to get around independently

*  must provide or make arrangements for transportation to and from the program and assigned work sites

*  must not present a danger to self or others

*  a completed referral packet must be received from the referral source.

What is an acquired brain injury?
An acquired brain injury (ABI) is brain damage caused by events during or after birth rather than as a genetic or congenitial disorder.

What are some of the causes of brain injury?
Brain injury can result from injuries such as motor vehicle and other accidents, falls, assaults, stroke, brain tumors, infection, poisoning, lack of oxygen, certain diseases and substance abuse.

How does a brain injury impact a person?
A brain injury may affect a person’s relationships both at home and in the community.  Problems resulting from a brain injury include; Cognitive Impairments, Personality Issues Physical Impediments, Anxiety and Depression and Stress.

For more information, check out…

http://www.braininjurygeorgia.org/