SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH BRAIN INJURIES EXPANDED

Community services in place to help Saskatchewan citizens with

acquired brain injuries provide effective educational and emotional

support, according to an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Pilot Project

evaluation, released today by Associate Health Minister Judy Junor and

Deputy Premier and Crown Investments Corporation Minister Dwain

Lingenfelter.



"Survivors of acquired brain injuries and their families recognize

there is more support available now than prior to the pilot project's

1996 inception," Junor said. "This allows survivors an improved

quality of life in their own communities."



More than 800 people who sustained brain injuries received support

during the first three years of the pilot project.



In January, Saskatchewan Health and SGI extended the three-year pilot

project another five years. SGI funds the extended initiative for

$16.6 million and Saskatchewan Health manages and coordinates

programming.



Lingenfelter noted most brain injuries are the result of motor vehicle

accidents.



"Through this program extension, SGI and Saskatchewan Health

continue to invest in the lives of hundreds more people with

brain injuries and their families," Lingenfelter said.



The evaluation report identifies three major areas of focus for

the next five years:



the need for enhanced residential options and life

enrichment programs for people with ABI;



the need for increased family support for those families who

have a family member with an ABI; and



the need for increased training and education for

professionals in the area of ABI and substance abuse.



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For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown Barbara Cross

Communications Branch Manager, Communications

Saskatchewan Health SGI

Regina Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4088 Phone: (306) 751-1360