CNBNews

Bancroft Brain Injury Services helps both veterans and civilians recovering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Last year, Bancroft was selected as one of only 21 organizations nationwide to participate in a pilot program through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to provide brain-injury services to veterans. The “Assisted Living for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries (AL-TBI) Pilot Program” provides a dedicated source of funding for VA-enrolled veterans to receive these vital rehabilitation services.

 

  

 

“Bancroft has been doing a fantastic job helping veterans who are suffering with these injuries,” said Runyan, a member of both the House Veterans Affairs Committee and Armed Services Committee. 

Bancroft helps people with TBI relearn how to function at home and in their communities, regain work-related skills and develop strategies to compensate for memory loss, thinking difficulties and other effects of their injury. Now, through the AL-TBI Pilot Program, more veterans can benefit from Bancroft’s expertise and broad range of rehabilitative services.

  

 

During his tour, Runyan visited Bancroft’s day treatment facility in Cherry Hill, where veterans and others with brain injuries receive cognitive rehabilitation – which focuses on memory and thinking skills – as well as physical, occupational and speech therapy, and other types of rehabilitation services. He also visited a Bancroft-operated apartment in Voorhees, where veterans live and receive support in daily-living skills. His tour concluded with a Q&A session with veterans with brain injuries.

Said one active-duty soldier during Runyan’s visit: “Without Bancroft I don’t know where I’d be. When I came here I was a mess.” The soldier has regained control of his life through the brain-injury rehabilitation he’s receiving at Bancroft. 

“My brother wouldn’t be alive today without this program,” said Rose Licata, the twin sister of a veteran served by Bancroft. “You can’t survive being in bed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” Licata explained that her brother, Ray Mannion, previously spent nearly his entire day sleeping. At Bancroft, he stays awake throughout the day, is gaining strength and endurance, and is learning to compensate for his memory and thinking difficulties. He lives in a Bancroft group home in Audubon, and receives therapies at the Cherry Hill site.

  

 

Bancroft is one of the largest providers of services for individuals with traumatic brain injuries in the region, serving more than 100 people through the organization’s day facilities, and operating 39 apartment and group-home residences.

Said Runyan: “I was honored to meet people served by Bancroft, hear their stories and learn about their daily struggles. These men and women are an inspiration to many, including myself. I look forward to keeping in contact with Bancroft to ensure that all is being done to ensure our nation’s veterans receive the best care possible.”

Toni Pergolin, Bancroft president and CEO, noted Bancroft truly helps veterans rebuild their lives. “We appreciate Rep. Runyan spending time with our veterans to hear directly from them how they’ve been affected. We’re proud to have such an outspoken leader on veterans’ issues as our representative in Congress.” 

Congressman Runyan also serves as the chairman of the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, and is a member of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.

About Bancroft

 

Founded in 1883, Bancroft annually serves 1,300 children and adults with autism, acquired brain injuries, and other intellectual or developmental disabilities, through a wide variety of programs in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. For more information, visit www.bancroft.org. For the latest updates, follow Bancroft on Twitter @BancroftOrg, and like Bancroft at www.facebook.com/BancroftOrg.

  

 

 

Based in Haddonfield, N.J., Bancroft programs include early childhood, education, vocational, supported employment, structured day programs, rehabilitation, community living, behavioral treatment, and in-home and outpatient services.

  

 

Bancroft strives to ensure that every person is given opportunities for lifelong learning and fulfillment. It does this by altering perceptions and supporting people with neurological challenges in achieving their life goals as valued and respected members of our world.