Family To Family Project

Funder: Colorado Health Foundation (formerly HealthONE Alliance)

Key Personnel:

• Cathy Schelly, M.Ed., OTR, PI
• Judy Dettmer, BSW; Project Director
• Judy Dettmer, BSW; Project Director
• Elizabeth Meschievitz, MS, OTR; Transition Specialist
• Barbara Seckinger, MA; Transition Specialist/Peer Mentor

Abstract: Through the Family to Family Project, families who have a child with a brain injury are connected with other families who also have a child with a brain injury, allowing for mentoring, empathy, encouragement and support as these families navigate through the complex support systems that must be in place to support their child’s recovery and re-entry into school and life activities. This project is currently being implemented in the Thompson and Weld/Evans school districts in northern Colorado, with the expectation that further development and expansion will occur in the future in multiple school districts and counties across the state. In addition to the family support program with this project, Brain Injury Resource Teams with each involved school district are receiving technical assistance and training regarding the manifestation of brain injury in children and youth, as well as support strategies that promote success for these young people in school. Children with brain injury are receiving individualized support and mentoring as they develop an awareness of how their brain injury affects them, and as they learn about and practice self-advocacy skills.