Affiliations: [a] The Bouverie Centre, Victoria's Family Institute, Faculty of Health Science, La Trobe University, Brunswick, Vic, Australia | [b] Heads Together Camp, Young Men's Christian Association, Fairfield, Vic, Australia | [c] ABI Services, Ballarat Health Services, Ballarat, Vic, Australia | [d] Disability Services, Southern Health – Slow To Recover Program, Dandenong, Vic, Australia | Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Franca Butera-Prinzi, The Bouverie Centre, Victoria's Family Institute, Faculty of Health Science, La Trobe University, 8 Gardiner St, Brunswick, Vic. 3056, Melbourne, Australia. Tel.: +61 3 93855100; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Introduction:The Family To Family Link Up Program (f2f Link Up) is a pilot program aimed to promote connections between families who have a family member with an Acquired Brain Injury. Methods:A total of 46 families participated in the program coordinated by The Bouverie Centre in Melbourne Victoria. Link-Ups, involving one or several sessions with members from two or more families. Link-Ups were conducted by Victorian metropolitan and regional ABI workers who were trained as Link-Up facilitators. A co-operative inquiry action research methodology was used to provide insights into the development and implementation of the program. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from families and facilitators on the effectiveness of the program and their experience of each Link Up session. Results:Evaluation of the program showed positive impacts for both families and facilitators and provided useful feedback on program implementation issues, benefits and constraints of the program. Conclusions:The opportunity to meet other families in brief, time-limited contacts with a trained facilitator is a useful and needed addition to a range of supports that might assist families caring for a member with an acquired brain injury.
Keywords: Family support, community program, brain injury
