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OBIA was pleased to have TERRY
EVANSHEN as the spokesman for the launch of the PEER SUPPORT MENTORING
PROGRAM.
The Peer Mentoring Program has been modeled after the successful program
currently in practice in New York and New Jersey and has been reviewed and refined for use in Ontario by a team of professionals working with OBIA.
Brain Injury Association of Peel and Halton entered into agreement with
OBIA to be one of the leaders working towards the implementation of the
Peer Mentoring Program in September 2006.
The Peer Support Mentoring Program for People Living with ABI (the first
shared activity of OBIA’s Community Support Network), connects an
individual who is a “veteran” of a life experience involving Acquired
Brain Injury (the “Mentor”) with a “Partner” who is coping with a similar
ABI-related situation and is in need of support from a knowledgeable
friend. Both Mentors and Partners can be survivors, unpaid caregivers or
family members.
All Mentors will be trained before being matched with Partners—through
the generous support of the program’s development sponsors (Gluckstein
& Associates, Henderson Structured Settlements and Sibley &
Associates); training materials have been developed and will be provided
for that purpose.
The role of the Mentor is to provide support, share information and
resources with Partners who are coping with a similar ABI-related
situation. These situations may occur at various points post injury.
Mentor/Partner matches are based on similar experiences and/or
demographics and personal interests. Most of the mentoring will be
conducted over the telephone (some by e-mail), making it possible for
anyone in Ontario to participate.
The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation has agreed to develop and oversee the
program evaluation for this program.
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