Johnstown, PA

Johnstown TBI Rehabilitation Programs

Contact Information

DVBIC Johnstown TBI Rehabilitation Programs
109 Sunray Drive
Johnstown, PA 15905
Phone: 814.255.8601

Catchment Area

CT, DE, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT

Program Overview

DVBIC Johnstown, located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is one of two Community Neurorehabilitation sites in the DVBIC network. Our CARF Accredited program uses a transdisciplinary team approach to teach patients the skills necessary to live successfully in the community (be it military or civilian) and within their family/social groups. DVBIC-Johnstown has been offering rehabilitation services since 2006.
The program provides intensive services during the transition period from the hospital setting to the return to home or the return to duty. The treatment options are individualized for each patient’s needs in order to optimize their functioning and abilities. Programming addresses complex issues such as behavioral challenges, cognitive challenges, family issues, post-traumatic stress, and adaptation to disability. The program augments but does not duplicate resources provided within the VA health care system.
Primary treatment focuses include vocational training and return to duty/work, behavior management, family and social relationships, self-advocacy and self-management of health care needs.  All services are structured to teach skill that lead to the highest level of independence possible.

Community Reentry Program

Laurel Highlands Neuro-Rehabilitation Center was founded in 2006 in Johnstown to provide community integrated rehabilitation through a transitional living program and a day treatment program. In October  2008, Laurel Highlands combined services with the outpatient clinic to become DVBIC Johnstown.

Residential Brain Injury Program
The program features an intensive program that offers weekly skills building modules emphasizing topics relevant to a more independent life at home, in the community, and at school or work. Individualized sessions are incorporated to emphasize:
 

  • meal planning and preparation
  • grocery shopping
  • community service
  • fitness and recreation
  • headache and pain management
  • sleep hygiene
  • medication management
  • self advocacy
  • coping and adjustment to disabilities

Our program provides group living in a safe, family-like environment with the following:

  • 24-hour supervision and assistance as needed
  • medication administration and supervision of self-administration of medications
  • meals
  • assistance with household tasks
  • opportunities to participate in community activities and events
  • recreational and fitness equipment on-site
  • a license by Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare under Personal Care Home Regulations

Vocational Program
Returning to productive employment is a common goal that becomes a focus of therapy. Our vocational services include:

  • career exploration, situational assessments, work adjustment training, job site assessments, and supervised volunteer work experiences
  • guidance and support for patients who are interested in advanced education
  • assistance with military to civilian career transitions
  • training and support on requesting reasonable job accommodations

Outpatient Services

Our team offers a full array of services to military personnel, veterans, and their beneficiaries who have been diagnosed with a TBI or suspect they have one. These services include:

  • screenings for post-traumatic stress
  • screenings for TBI
  • neuropsychological evaluation
  • week-long, full battery evaluation
  • neuropsychology
  • rehabilitation psychology
  • physical therapy
  • occupational therapy
  • speech therapy
  • local housing while going through the evaluation process is available on a limited basis
  • individual, group and family therapies:
    • chronic pain and headache
    • adjustment
    • PTSD
  • Cognitive rehabilitation
    • psychology
    • physical therapy
    • occupational therapy
    • speech therapy
  • career assessment and exploration
  • education programs for patients and families
  • community education and speakers bureau
  • referral services

Regional Outreach

DVBIC Johnstown TBI Rehabilitation Programs staff provide outreach, education and resource assistance in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Regional Care Coordination
The goals of the regional care coordinator at DVBIC Johnstown:

  • conduct follow-up of service members with TBI (mild, moderate, severe and penetrating)
  • monitor the care continuum for TBI to include potential rehabilitation needs, education, advocacy and support for service members with TBI and their families from injury to return to duty and/or reentry into the community
  • identify and connect service members to available TBI resources within DoD, VA and civilian communities
  • provide education and support serving as a TBI subject matter expert to all involved in the care and support of the service member and family.
  • identify barriers and/or gaps in service delivery for TBI service members as they transition between systems and settings
  • functional outcomes picture to look at quality of life issues related to home, work and social environments

For more information, contact John Foster, CBIS, at 814.255.8141 or jfoster@dvbic.org.

Regional Education
The regional education coordinator at DVBIC Johnstown provides the following:

  • outreach
  • community awareness and prevention
  • patient and family education
  • health care provider education
  • professional and ancillary staff education

Staff are available to provide presentations, educational materials and on-site training for providers, family and the general public on a variety of TBI topics.

For more information, contact Jose Otero at 814.255.8189 or jotero@dvbic.org.

Region: 
Northeast
Location Type: 
Civilian Partners