As our Executive Director stated in her letter, one of SDBIF’s goals is to find new and effective ways to address reintegration challenges and provide meaningful solutions by offering individualized navigation action plans for survivors.
WHAT IS A NAVIGATION ACTION PLAN?
A Navigation Action Plan (NavAP) identifies a survivor’s needs and current barriers and provides steps on how to address, work through and overcome them.
This plan serves as a roadmap, outlining the steps the brain injury survivor must take to progress towards their short-term goals. The NavAP addresses the survivor’s physical, emotional, and cognitive needs, as well as personal goals and preferences; and includes tailored recommendations and actionable steps, ensuring that the survivor has a clear and achievable pathway to follow.
HOW DOES A SURVIVOR OBTAIN A NavAP?
A survivor needs to do a simple 30-45-minute assessment completed with a SDBIF Program Coordinator. These are completed over the phone (or it can be in-person), where the Program Coordinator will ask a series of questions to get to know and understand the survivor’s situation, challenges, and aspirations better.
Better yet, It is VERY easy to ask for one of these assessments to be done. All a survivor has to do is call SDBIF’s Telephone Helpline at (619) 294-6541 or email info@SDBIF.org and ask to schedule one!
HOW MUCH DOES A NavAP COST?
NOTHING!!! These are Free-of-Charge thanks to funding from the California Department of Rehabilitation and the generous donations of SDBIF’s supporters.
WHAT ARE NEW BENEFITS SURVIVORS HAVE ACCESS TO AFTER COMPLETING A NavAP?
SDBIF has begun a series of new initiatives in 2025 that active, participating survivors will have access to, once a NavAP is completed.
SDBIF is partnering with SDSU’s School of Health and Human Services–Center for Clinical & Cognitive Neuroscience to launch the Students Invested in Survivor Reintegration (SISR) Program. This advocate-based initiative pairs junior and senior undergraduate students with TBI survivors to assist with facilitating their reintegration from rehab to community life. Guided by Dr. Stephaine Ries, Professor, Dr. Roslyn Knox, SDBIF Executive Director, and Dr. Dan Gardner, M.D., a renowned brain injury expert, participants will receive training and support to ensure effective enrollment and engagement.
The objectives of SISR include weekly 1-on-1 meetings between students and survivors to enhance daily living and communication skills, advocacy support for navigating community resources, organization, and goal setting. Additionally, students will assist survivors with technology through workshops. The program will operate repeatedly on a semester basis, with ongoing assessment and reassessment using standardized instruments to track outcomes.
Community & Vocational Readiness Workshops
Partnering with Rehab Without Walls, SDBIF will host a monthly workshop series, each session led by licensed practitioners in various therapy disciplines. These interactive workshops will cover essential strategies and skills to prepare participants for re-entering the community and the workforce.
Assisted learning Technology Library
SDBIF is committed to bridging the digital divide after brain injury to address technological literacy needs. Recognizing the importance of access to technology and assistive devices, SDBIF will establish the Assisted Learning Technology (ALT) Library where workshops will be held to assist survivors in re-learning essential technology skills. This ALT Library will provide survivors and their families with access to computers, the internet, assistive technology, and printed materials, serving as a hub for workshops and technological assistance services.
Transportation Vouchers
Recognizing transportation barriers faced by survivors, SDBIF will offer financial assistance to enrolled survivors in need. Collaborating with rideshare services and public transportation systems, SDBIF will provide passes and vouchers for healthcare appointments, social services, and SDBIF programs. Additional assistance may be available upon request.
UNITED FOR REINTEGRATION
SDBIF’s Navigation Action Plan (NavAP) provides survivors with a personalized roadmap to overcome challenges and achieve their goals—all completely free. With new 2025 initiatives like the SISR Program, vocational workshops, assistive technology resources, and transportation vouchers, survivors have more support than ever.
If you or a loved one could benefit from a NavAP, reach out today! Just call (619) 294-6541 or email to info@SDBIF.org to start your reintegration journey. Your future is ready—let’s navigate it together!