What is BIFI-A?
Developed by researchers at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, BIFI-A is an empirically-based family system intervention designed for adolescents (13 to 19 years) with acquired brain injury and their family members. BIFI-A incorporates a broad curriculum, comprised of multiple components: education, emotional support and skill building. The BIFI-A intervention manual incorporates a detailed step-by-step protocol, treatment implementation procedures and guidelines for effective clinical implementation. The 225 page manual comes with activities, ready-to-use handouts, and resources for clinicians to use and replicate. BIFI-A topics include:
- Assessment
- What happens after brain injury? Common changes after brain injury
- Brain injury happens to the whole family
- Being a teen and achieving independence
- Emotional and physical recovery are two different things
- Coping with loss and change
- Managing intense emotions
- Managing stress and taking care of self
- Setting S.M.A.R.T. goals and tracking progress
- Learning patience and solving problems
- School, transitions and preparing for adulthood
- Wrap-up
Training
A two day training program has been developed to help professionals learn skills in family assessment, engagement, intervention and implementation of the BIFI-A protocol. Since 2009, more than 400 rehabilitation professionals from Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, US, and Sweden have participated in our Brain Injury Family Intervention Training. Findings from an outcome evaluation of our two day training for professionals show statistically significant improvements in participants’ ratings of knowledge, confidence and skills in family intervention after ABI. Customized trainings are available.
Leading Practice
BIFI-A is internationally recognized and was designated Leading Practice by Accreditation Canada in 2014.
