After hospital: Working with schools and families to support the long termneeds of children with brain injuries

Medical and rehabilitation systems care for children who sustain brain inju ries. Their much needed services, however, are short in comparison with the long term needs of these children and their families. For the most part, i t is schools and families who provide the long term supports to help childr en make the best outcomes and create a better quality of life. Professional s and families who develop collaborative models find that they can more eff ectively manage services for these children by carefully crafting Individua l Education Plans (IEP's). Through the IEP process students' complex needs; the multiple transitions they experience; and their long term needs can be met.