Connection, Assistance, Resources and Education
TBI Family CARE (Connections, Assistance, Resources and Education) is a one-to-one peer support program for people affected by brain injury. It was developed from suggestions made by people living with brain injury about their need to speak with somebody who "really understood them."
The Mentor Program matches trained volunteers (mentors) with individuals with brain injuries or their family members (partners). Every effort is made to match partners with mentors based on their preferences and compatibility. The mentoring relationship takes place via the telephone and/or e-mail. Mentors contact their partners an average of two to four times per month, at times that are mutually agreed upon. Mentors provide emotional support, information about brain injury and available resources, and have the ability to understand since they have dealt with similar issues.
Our mentors are people with brain injuries or family members who want to help others. Every mentor is carefully interviewed and required to attend a full-day training to serve as a volunteer in this program. The mentors are guided by a professional experienced with brain injury, the Association’s Mentor Coordinator, Wendy Berk.
Get Involved
Interested in becoming a Partner? The Association will be happy to match you with a mentor who has a similar connection to brain injury as you. A short telephone interview with the Mentor Coordinator is required to help us choose an appropriate mentor for you.
Interested in becoming a Mentor?
Mentor trainings are scheduled periodically, and a telephone screening is done prior to training.
If you would like more information on TBI Family CARE, would like to be matched with a mentor, or would like to volunteer as a mentor, please call our Helpline at 1-800-669-4323 (in NJ) or 732-745-0200, or e-mail info@bianj.org.
Download the TBI Family CARE Mentor Brochure
Download the TBI Family CARE Partner Brochure
Funding
The Mentor Program was launched as a pilot in 2000 through federal funding, and shortly expanded statewide with the help of a private grant from the Langeloth Foundation. TBI Family CARE is currently funded through the TBI Fund, administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Disability Services.