CHIRS is a registered not-for-profit charitable
organization primarily funded by the Ontario Ministry
of Health and Long-Term Care. CHIRS has earned
its third three-year accreditation award from the
Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation
(CCHSA). To earn this award the agency is
assessed against national acquired brain injury (ABI)
service standards set by the CCHSA in collaboration
with the health care community and related
stakeholders.
CHIRS, formerly known as Ashby House, started in
1978 as the first community-based brain injury
rehabilitation program in North America. From its
origins as a transitional group home, CHIRS has
evolved into a multi-service agency that provides a
broad range of supports to a clientele with diverse
and complex needs. CHIRS' services are designed
to form the basis of a comprehensive model of
service delivery. Residential services offer supported
living opportunities that range from twenty-four-hour
supervision to supported independent living. Ashby
Community Support Services (ACSS) provides
support to those individuals who are able to live
more independently or are being supported by family
in the community as well as assists individuals in
institutions to access purposeful community
activities. Through CHIRS Adult Day Services, which
is comprised of an adult day program (CHIRS Club)
and community programs, CHIRS is able to provide
productive and meaningful activities for all
participants.
CHIRS plays an active role in the larger community
as illustrated by its affiliation with the following:
- The Directors' Network
- The Ontario Association of Community-based
Boards for Acquired Brain Injury Services
(OACBABIS)
- Provincial ABI Advisory Committee (PABIAC)
- Toronto ABI Network and its many subcommittees
- Scarborough Chamber of Commerce
- North York Chamber of Commerce
- Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association
- Brain Injury Society of Toronto
- Ontario Brain Injury Association
- Neurological Services Planning Group
- Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a
Disability
- Parks and Recreation Ontario
- Etobicoke Barrier Free Accessibility Committee
- Ontario Rehabilitation and Work Council
- Vocational Rehabilitation Task Force
- Toronto Employment Network
- Bloorview MacMillan ABI Program