Overview of CHIRS

CHIRS is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization primarily funded by the Central Local Health Integration Network and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. CHIRS has earned its third three-year accreditation award from Accreditation Canada. To earn this award the agency is assessed against national acquired brain injury (ABI) service standards set by Accreditation Canada 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
• Ontario Rehabilitation and Work Council
• Toronto Board of Trade
• JOIN
• Ontario Alliance for Action on Brain Injury
• Bloorview Kids ABI Program