In 1993, an OPWDD grant was awarded to PARC to provide formalized services to individuals who sustained brain injuries (traumatic/acquired) before the age of 22.  Funding has continued and PARC, in cooperation with the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS), now provides the following services to persons with brain injury:

Education, Advocacy. Training and Referral offered to individuals and families of persons who have sustained head injuries prior to the age of 22.  This program provides advocacy, counseling, referral and training to individuals, families and significant others.  Participants must be eligible for OPWDD services.

Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) offered to individuals who are Medicaid eligible and have sustained a head injury prior to the age of 22.  Individuals can receive MSC as either a straight Medicaid service or as a waiver service through the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Waiver Program.  (see Service Coordination for complete details). 

PARC also offers a brain injury monthly support group at the Poughkeepsie Galleria in Dutchess County. It is open to individuals, families,  significant others, professionals and interested parties. Meetings are typically held on the fourth Saturday of the month and run from 12:30pm - 2:00pm.   This opportunity allows individuals and caregivers to share experiences and network. 

In addition, a weekly group for individuals with brain injuries runs in ten-week sessions in Carmel, NY.  This is a closed support group that focuses on cognitive skills building. Members must commit to an entire 10-week cycle.

In addition to these services, persons with brain injuries may access vocational evaluation, educational advocacy, information/referral, and counseling.  Professional training can also be arranged.

For further information about services provided for individuals with brain injuries, contact Wendy Demmel, Brain Injury Coordinator at (845) 721-2282 or at Wendy_Demmel@putnamarc.org.

For information specific to our support groups, please contact Marlene Stager, Brain Injury Supervisor, at (845) 225-5650, ext. 114 or at Marlene_Stager@putnamarc.org