About Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
 

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) can refer to any type of brain damage that occurs after birth. It includes damage caused by infection, disease, lack of oxygen, or head trauma. ABI can cause a variety of difficulties, ranging from physical to cognitive issues, speech and language to behavioral dysfunctions. Problems range from mild to severe, and every case presents its own challenges.

At Learning Services, we understand that everyone with ABI is different, and requires care unique to their particular injury and challenges. Learning Services believes in treating each resident on his or her own terms. Whether dealing with physical, social, behavioral, or medical challenges, our experienced and caring team of professionals helps residents and their families move step-by-step on the journey to a better quality of life. Trained Direct Care staff work with our experienced Case Managers and Clinical Experts to assess progress and set realistic, attainable goals. Every step forward, no matter how small, makes an enormous difference in the lives of our residents and their families, and we celebrate these victories every day.

For more than twenty years, Learning Services has been providing high-quality care to the ABI community. Our experience caring for residents with a wide range of ABI issues has led us to develop programs that give each person the best possible quality of life. Our model of care is built on the following key principles:

• 3:1 Direct Care Staffing*
• ABI Training for all staff members**
• Collaborative Case Management
• Community-Integrated Living
• Low-Density, Homelike Environments
• Outcome-Oriented Care  

While each element is important in itself, the combination is what creates the supportive and constructive environments, enabling our residents to live productive and satisfying lives.

• At LSNI, our Neurobehavioral Institute, the special behavioral needs of our residents calls for an increase in our staffing ratio to 2:1 or two Residents per one Direct Care staff member. 
  
   
• Only Direct Care Staff are included in our staffing ratio calculation. All management, clinical, medical, case management, facility and specialty day activity staff are excluded from the staffing ratio calculation. That said, many of these program-based individuals spend a good portion of their day interacting directly with our Residents. Although participation by non-Direct Care Staff serves to increase the staffing coverage, it is not part of our targeted staffing calculation.
  
   
• When the number of Residents in one of our programs is not divisible by three, by definition, staffing ratios will be slightly over or under our targeted 3:1 ratio.
  
   
• When a staff member is unexpectedly absent or calls in sick on short notice, pending the specific needs of that shift, alternate staffing may or may not be called in to cover.
  
   
• Overnight shifts are usually not staffed at our standard or quoted staffing ratios.