Slow to Recover Program

The Acquired Brain Injury: Slow to Recover (ABI:STR) Program has grown out of a number of Victorian government initiatives in the area of rehabilitation and support services for younger, non-compensable clients with severe brain damage. The ABI:STR program is a unique flexible model for the delivery of services to those clients with catastrophic ABI and the most complex and difficult care needs.

Funds to purchase services are allocated to each eligible client. These resources are used to strengthen and enhance the capacity of existing mainstream services to meet the needs of people with ABI rather than developing a separate service infrastructure. A Case Manager is responsible for developing the care plan, which identifies the range of rehabilitation services and supports required by the client.

Eligibility to receive services funded by the STR Program

To be eligible for funding through the program, an applicant must satisfy all the following criteria:

Medical:
  • Has a diagnosis of severe ABI in relation to an acute health episode within the preceding two years.
  • has a current primary diagnosis of ABI
  • Is post-acute and medically stable or requiring limited medical intervention.
Age:
  • Is at least 5 years of age and less than 45. Although applicants 45-65 will be considered if funds are available.
Legal:
  • Is non-compensable
  • Has a legal guardian or advocate, if unable to give informal consent.
Social circumstances:
  • Requires specific age-appropriate care and support, including individual psycho-social and familiar assistance, which is not available through other programs. There may, for instance, be a need to purchase a specific environment because of the person's youth or because of family commitments and responsibilities (eg a young family and parenting responsibilities).
Management:
  • Is not eligible for fast stream rehabilitation or has not undertaken or completed sufficient rehabilitation.
  • Has been assessed as needing long-term nursing care and/or is eligible for Commonwealth funded nursing home services.

For further information about the Slow to Recover program or an Application form please contact:

Disability Services Manager
ABI STR Program
Bunurong Community Health Service
4th Floor, 229 Thomas Street
Dandenong 3175

Phone: (03) 8792 2396 or 8792 2397
Fax: (03) 8792 2206

Additional information can be found at the Southern Health Website.

 

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                                                         Updated 5th October, 2007