The goal of the SUBI project is to facilitate ongoing interdisciplinary management
of clients living with both acquired brain injury and problematic substance use.
The SUBI Bridging Project was made possible by an Ontario Ministry of Health
and Long-term Care Primary Health Care Transition Fund (PHCTF) Grant.
It was designed as a demonstration project to address two goals of the PHCTF:
To increase access to primary care
To promote continuity of care by supporting interdisciplinary teams
The immediate objectives of the demonstration project were to:
develop initial treatment alternatives for clients of Community Head Injury Resource Services of Toronto (CHIRS) whose cognitive impairments precluded their treatment in mainstream substance use programs
provide support to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in managing cognitive impairments presented by clients with brain injuries
facilitate training between CHIRS and CAMH
provide prevention and secondary prevention materials for CHIRS clients with ABI
Our demonstration project included:
training a CHIRS community facilitator at CAMH to act as a consultant and therapist to both CHIRS and CAMH programs
Developing a referral system to facilitate early intervention with the support of the Toronto ABI Network
developing training and intervention materials to facilitate interdisciplinary care
Our objectives were to:
expand on Brain Injury and Substance Abuse: The Cross-Training Advantage, published in 2001
develop a cost-effective case-management model that could be implemented by community-based ABI agencies
facilitate early substance use interventions by ABI network agencies
Materials developed by the SUBI Bridging Project include:
a manual for brain injury providers and substance use providers
a workbook for clients (to be used by clients or clients and their providers) to help manage co-occurring conditions
a pamphlet for clients entering the system with brain injuries in acute care settings
recommendations for screening, prevention and education for use in acute rehabilitation settings
The team began putting the pieces together in January, 2004, and worked through to July, 2006.
Many thanks to both the professionals and the clients who lent their support.