ABI in the Streets

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ABI in the Streets is a low barrier program, supporting those who have a suspected or confirmed brain injury and are consistently challenged to meet the necessities of life such as shelter, food security, primary care, etc. While brain injuries challenge many people with mental health issues and substance use, it is apparent that those who are homeless are impacted at an even higher rate due to their circumstances.

When clients who have screened positive with the HELPS screening tool* are referred to Traverse Independence, they will be assigned a worker who is fully integrated into the community mental health and addictions team. This worker, who is specialized in brain injury, will team up with other community workers to offer a brain injury lens through direct support for the client, information and advice to other team members and access to training and/or the Traverse clinical team.

Referral form for ABI in the Streets - includes consent for release of medical information and HELPS screening tool - if you require this form in a different form for accessibility purposes, please contact us at the address below.

Please note that, if the client has stable housing, can be reliably contacted, is interested in working on specific goals, and can attend appointments/meetings they would be more appropriate for the ABI Outreach Program. These clients follow a different referral process.

August 2022 Update

The Region of Waterloo Community Services Council has recommended strategies to end homelessness for all people in our region. Our experience and data show that there is a very high prevalence of brain injury in this population and we are pleased that the presentation makes clear reference to this.

* It is important to know that the HELPS tool is a screener and NOT a diagnostic tool.

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