RETURN! Community Re-Entry Program

Rehabilitation to Regain Independence

RETURN! Community Re-Entry Program

RETURN! is an intensive, neurorehabilitation day treatment program serving adults who have sustained an acquired brain injury, such as stroke, aneurysm and traumatic brain injury. This program is designed to help patients regain independence in daily functioning so that they can return to work and school as well as resume their responsibilities at home, such as cooking, cleaning or managing finances.

 

The RETURN! program’s structured weekly schedule includes both group and individual therapies that have been developed to improve mobility, cognition, self-care, and home and community living skills. The group setting allows patients to practice strategies which help them remember, understand language, plan, organize thoughts, speak and socially interact.

 

Our experienced team includes experts in brain injury from the fields of physiatry, neuropsychology, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, therapeutic recreation and prevocational services.

Patient working in the community re-entry program

Referrals and Admission Criteria

Referrals to the RETURN! program can come from physicians, other healthcare professionals, community agencies, family members, friends and survivors. Once the referral is made, our intake social worker or program coordinator will assess if the program would be beneficial for the person referred, verify funding source, obtain necessary documentation, clarify mode of transportation and propose a start date, if appropriate. For the initial visit, it is requested that family members accompany the client for a program orientation with the program coordinator.

Criteria for Admission:

  • Diagnosis of brain injury (traumatic brain injury, stroke, aneurysm clipping, or other acquired brain injury)
  • Medical stability and physician's referral
  • Reliable two-way communication
  • Ability to tolerate and benefit from a group setting
  • Motivation to improve and/or have work, school, community re-entry goals
  • Ability to modify behavior with repetition and cueing
  • Ability to complete basic activities of daily living (ADL’s) with minimal assistance
  • Continence during the daytime
  • Viable funding
  • Reliable transportation (family, MTA mobility, medical assistance transportation, other)

If you have questions regarding participation in the RETURN! Brain Injury Community Reentry Program at Sinai Rehabilitation Center, please feel free to contact our intake social worker, Evan Jang, at 410-601-6080 or our program coordinator, Matt Lilly, at 410-601-9805.

Patient Support Services

We offer comprehensive support services to ensure that our clients and their loved ones are fully informed, equipped with all necessary resources and set up for long-term success. These services include family meetings to review progress, address questions and concerns and discuss goals, vocational case coordination to review vocational interests and concerns and case management to help clients navigate healthcare systems and link with community resources.

 

Support Group

The RETURN! brain injury support group is open to brain injury survivors, family, friends and caregivers. It meets virtually, the third Tuesday of the month. This group is affiliated with the Brain Injury Association of Maryland. If you would like more information about the support group or if you would like to add your name to the mailing list, please contact Evan Jang at 410-601-6080.

 

Family Meetings

A family team meeting is typically held after the client has been in the program for 3–5 weeks. This meeting offers the client, family and therapy team an opportunity to review the client's progress in the program, address any potential questions or concerns from the client and family, and discuss treatment goals and potential discharge plans.

 

Vocational Case Coordinator

Our vocational case coordinator (VCC) meets with each client to evaluate the client's vocational interests, discuss return-to-work concerns and connect clients with appropriate vocational resources in the community. The VCC is directly involved in reentry planning if a client’s return to work is imminent. If more extensive assistance is needed, a referral to the RETURN to Work! Program may be warranted.

 

Day Treatment vs. Outpatient Treatment

The services and methods listed below distinguish the RETURN! Community Re-Entry Program from standard outpatient programs at other facilities. The RETURN! Community Re-Entry Program offers:

 

Daily Structure and a Group Format: Allows for greater consistency in daily functioning, social support and practical application by clients of learned strategies.

 

Interdisciplinary Approach: Weekly team meetings ensure a full and collaborative understanding of clients' abilities, needs and treatment.

 

Case Management Services: Promotes the proper coordination of services, benefits, transportation and discharge planning.

 

Socialization/Group Support: Milieu treatment promotes mutual encouragement and effective interactions among the clients, which furthers positive recovery.

 

Psychological counseling for clients and/or families: Promotes better adjustment to injury and effective management of emotional reactivity. A social worker and rehabilitation psychologist are available to provide this support.

 

Pre-Vocational Counseling, Practice and Planning: Encourages a mindful and planned approach to returning to work.

 

Brain Injury Education: Empowers clients to better understand brain injury, appreciate the healing process and set realistic expectations to encourage participation.

 

Community Outings/Leisure Planning: Allows for the assessment of client skills outside of the clinic setting and the practice of functional abilities in social settings.

 

Discharge Planning: Ensures a smooth transition to community services and prepares clients and families for the "next step."

 

Hospital-based Programming: Allows for immediate access to necessary healthcare resources (pathology labs, ER, pharmacy, etc.) to quickly address medical issues.

 

On-Site Medical Director: A physiatrist assesses and manages clients’ medical concerns throughout their stay in the program.

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Program Outcomes

Review data showcasing the outcomes and statistical results of the RETURN! Community Re-Entry Program.

Resources

Below, find resources which may be helpful for individuals who have experienced an acquired brain injury.

Division of Rehabilitation Services

DORS provides services for employment, individual supports in the community, and transition from school to work or higher education. The above web site will walk you through the application and eligibility process.

Social Security Administration

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits. Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) pays benefits to you and certain family members if you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Your adult child also may qualify for benefits on your earnings record if he or she has a disability that started before age 22.

Developmental Disabilities Administration

DDA offers programs and services relevant to people with brain injuries and their families, such as Individual Support Services (ISS), which can provide payment for personal care attendants, housing, and other supports. For most DDA programs, the brain injury must have occurred when the individual before the age of 22 years.

Maryland Transit Administration

MTA offers many services that make public transportation easier and more affordable for people with disabilities.

County Ride

Most counties provide transportation for people with disabilities. This transportation is provided in many different ways (public and private). Call the Baltimore County Department of Aging at (410) 887-3787.

Social Services

The Maryland Department of Human Resources is the state's social services provider. Some programs that may be applicable include the following: food assistance, energy assistance, child support, and medical assistance/health coverage. Click on the following link to find an office in your area:

Housing and Urban Development

HUD promotes decent affordable housing. Information is available about federal financial assistance, local rental information, housing counseling, information for people with disabilities, and vouchers for homeownership.

Job Accommodation Network

JAN is a source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. It helps people with disabilities enhance their employability and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace.

Workers’ Compensation Commission

An injured worker may be qualified for vocational rehabilitation if the individual’s injury is severe enough to keep the individual from returning to his or her former occupation at the time of the injury.