Highlights of Achievements in 2008/2009

The $12 million Government of Alberta contribution enabled partners in the Alberta SCI Solutions Initiative to achieve the following in 2008/2009:

Increase the capacity of CPA AB to meet the needs of individuals with SCI in communities of all sizes throughout the province, including the Aboriginal population.
Four Client Solutions Coordinator (CSC) positions (a total of 3.0 FTE) were funded; seven Community Development Coordinator positions (a total of 4.7 FTE), and two full-time peer coordinator positions were funded. CSCs served 90 clients with disabilities and their families. Without the Government investment, it would not have been possible for CPA AB to support individuals with SCI and their families to the extent it has. Having local staff available is the best way to ensure high quality service to clients and active involvement in community issues (e.g. transportation, and accessible housing).

Commit $134,208 to projects designed to meet the immediate, priority needs of Albertans with SCI and the communities in which they live.
Half of this money ($67, 104) was raised by communities through Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion (RHWIM) events. Successful proposals were matched dollar for dollar with money from the provincial Solutions Fund. In all, 28 projects and 3 individuals received funding for such things as adaptive fitness programs, education costs, wheelchair accessible vans, and accessible playground flooring. These funds are making a direct impact on Albertans with SCI of all ages and in communities throughout the province.

Increase capacity to implement initiatives in the Alberta Active Living Strategy by creating an Active Living Executive Task Team.
This team is responsible for overseeing the distribution of funds for active living projects and will provide the impetus needed to implement other initiatives in the report (which was completed in March 2008.) The committee has decided to put out a call for proposals in summer 2009.

Increase the national visibility and influence of Alberta researchers and practitioners in the field of SCI.
Provincial representatives were appointed to three national SCI Translational Research Leadership Teams under the auspices of the SCISN. This means that Alberta experts are now involved in setting national direction in the areas of SCI Acute Care and Treatment, SCI Rehabilitation, and Community Integration. In turn, Alberta initiatives will benefit from close ties with a national network of experts and access to leading research findings and best practices. Members of the Leadership Teams are nationally and internationally recognized as leaders in their fields.

Strengthen the contribution of Alberta hospitals and rehabilitation programs to the Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry (RHSCIR).
RHSCIR reached formal data sharing arrangements with four Alberta institutions (acute care and rehabilitation) and reached an understanding regarding the need to fund data collection staff. These accomplishments assure that comprehensive, high quality data on individuals with SCI in Alberta will be available to the research community in the near future.

Increase awareness of SCI among the general public in Alberta.
The number of Alberta SCI Ambassadors working with the RHF to increase public awareness of SCI increased to 26. Together, they delivered 18 presentations, participated in 27 media events, and spoke publicly at 13 RHWIM events.

Ensure that all Alberta elementary and secondary students have the opportunity, via Rick Hansen’s story, to learn about the great potential of people with SCI and other disabilities.
Staff of the RHF enrolled 70 Alberta schools in the Rick Hansen School Program, designed to teach social responsibility and disability awareness. This is an enormous increase over the 14 schools that participated in the program in 2007. Every K-12 school in Alberta has the RH School Program resources in their library, whether they have chosen to participate in the full program or not.

Finalize governance, accountability, and delivery structures and systems.
The Alberta Paraplegic Foundation (APF) was granted financial oversight for the Alberta SCI Solutions Alliance and the Alberta SCI Research Team. The Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta) (CPA AB) was appointed secretariat to both the Alliance and the Research Team.