Leading Practice Partnerships – Interior Health and CONNECT
A decade into a community rehab partnership for acquired brain injury (ABI) in British Columbia, some powerful outcomes with national recognition affirm that the chemistry is right.
Patti Flaherty, President and COO of CONNECT Communities, and Deborah  Preston, Health Services Administrator – Central Okanagan Community, Interior Health, would like the opportunity to prepare an interactive presentation the World Congress about the unique partnership they formed and the life-changing difference it has made to so many individuals and to the health system.
In the 10 years of IH/CONNECT partnership, 165 individuals have transitioned through CONNECT. The Average LOS is 278 Days (9-10 months) and 75% of residents move out to a lower-cost environment for years to come. The total program cost, or investment, by IH is $10M over 10 years, with CONNECT generating significant system savings, which continue to increase. 
Along with these outcomes, three other notable achievements of the partnership are:
1. The creation of the Life Redesign ModelTM:
•	A culture of personal accountability, support risk taking, social capital and meaningful community participation
•	Services planned around what the person wants more of in life. Participation in relevant life situations drives the residents’ goals
•	Leveraging neuroplasticity by pursuing resident goals in real-life, non-institutional settings
•	A “doing-with” coaching approach with blended job roles and a multi-professional coaching team
2. Leading Practice – Accreditation Canada
The Life Redesign ModelTM was deemed Leading Practice by Accreditation Canada in 2016 under client and family centred care for acquired brain injury services.
3. National recognition
Health Systems from across the country have shown significant interest in CONNECT’s model and the partnership with Interior Health. After extensive research and a competitive process, Hamilton Health Sciences has partnered with CONNECT to build CONNECT Hamilton in Ontario in 2019. The model is firmly based on our Lake Country model.
Together CONNECT Lake Country and Interior Health  have filled a significant system gap for persons with brain injury, providing an opportunity in BC to redesign their lives. The partnership has allowed many individuals to avoid long-term care and institutionalization, with 75% of people going home and to the community after CONNECT. Most importantly, the partnership has built a huge number of powerful individual stories that can inspire change and have positive influence for the individual and others.

Leading Practice Partnerships - Interior Health and CONNECT