Please note: Applications are OPEN and will close on November 9th, 2025
ApplicationS
Please note: Applications are open on September 8th and close on November 9th, 2025
Support That Fits Your Journey
Through the Compassionate Justice Fund, individuals living with traumatic brain injuries can access up to $5,000 in financial support for rehabilitation services.
Recipients will be connected with a local rehabilitation provider, who will complete an assessment to help determine their unique needs, goals, and the right services for their recovery. Together, the recipient and provider will develop a personalized plan that focuses on healing and enhancing quality of life.
This fund is here to support you in recovering from, or living fully with, a traumatic brain injury, with care that’s rooted in compassion and community.
Please note: Recipients are eligible to receive funding from the Compassionate Justice Fund only once.
The Compassionate Justice Fund completes applications by phone with an OBIA Support Team member at a pre-scheduled time.
To apply, please follow the steps below:
- Read the eligibility criteria to make sure you are eligible.
- Fill out the online Intent to Apply form (click here to access).
- Complete as much of the information on the form as possible.
- When you’re finished, hit the ‘Submit’ button, and the form will come right to us.
- Once received, an OBIA Support Team member will contact you to schedule a time to complete the application together.
A letter of support must be included with every application by emailing it to cjf@obia.on.ca. For more information about the letter of support, please see below.
If you need assistance or have any questions about the application process, please contact the OBIA Helpline at 1-800-263-5404 or email support@obia.on.ca, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants to the fund should ensure that they meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Aged 16 years and older
- Live in Ontario, Canada
- Sustained a prior traumatic brain injury; however, a formal diagnosis is not required
- The individual is ‘marginalized’ or ‘underserved’. Specifically, they have experienced one or more of the following:
- Violence or abuse
- Unstable housing or homelessness
- Intersection with the criminal justice system
- Mental health challenges, in addition to one of the above
No current or past access to alternative funding (i.e., insurance and public funding), rehabilitation and/or support services (i.e., publicly funded brain injury programs, hospital-based outpatient rehabilitation services, community-based programs)
Based on our previous experience, applicants benefit the most from the funding when they have a consistent support person in place. This individual may be a family member, partner, friend, or professional, though other forms of support are also welcomed.
We encourage those who are currently experiencing unstable housing or homelessness to contact the OBIA Helpline at 1-800-263-5404 for support and information on available resources prior to applying to the CJF.
Prior history
of TBI:
- Eligible persons must have sustained a prior TBI.
- This does NOT need to be a recent injury.
- Eligible persons do NOT need a formal diagnosis of a prior TBI. However, you will need a clinician or caseworker to state they believe you’ve had a TBI, or we may ask you questions using the HELPS TBI Screening Questionnaire
Marginalized or underserved
- Funding is provided if there is evidence suggesting that a person is ‘marginalized’ or ‘underserved’, including but not limited to persons who are/have:
- Experience of violence or abuse
- Unstable housing or homelessness
- Intersection with the criminal justice system
- Mental health challenges in addition to one of the above criteria
Cause of
injury
- All causes of TBI are considered eligible for the fund.
- Eligibility will primarily be assessed on the conditions and context of a persons current personal and living circumstances, in conjunction with their access to rehabilitation and support resources.
- However, the cause of injury will need to be specified in the application form.,
Age:
- Eligible persons must be age 16 or older.
Location:
- Eligible persons must live in Ontario, Canada.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA
Funding will NOT be provided to individuals with reasonable financial stability or those who currently have or have had access to rehabilitation and/or support services.
Intent to apply form
All applications to The Compassionate Justice Fund are completed by phone with an OBIA Support Services Team Member at a scheduled time.
To begin the process, fill out an Intent to Apply form below.
Once received, an OBIA Support Services Team member will contact you to arrange a time to complete the application by phone at a scheduled time. Please click on the button below to fill out the form.
Applications are open on September 8th and close November 9th, 2025.
Letter of Support
A letter of support must be received with every application. Letters can be received from a broad range of professionals who have direct knowledge of the applicant’s circumstances. This could include, but is not limited to, physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, personal support workers, caseworkers, community service workers, or legal advocates.
The letter of support must include:
- Confirmation that the applicant has a diagnosed or suspected traumatic brain injury, even if not formally diagnosed by a physician or nurse practitioner.
- A statement affirming, to the best of their knowledge, that the applicant has not previously received funding or rehabilitation services related to their brain injury.
- A declaration that the applicant is currently in a position to engage with services and would benefit from the support provided by this fund.
Letters must be sent by email from the provider to cjf@obia.on.ca by November 9th, 2025.
Interested in becoming a clinical or service provider partner by donating or pro-rating clinical rehabilitation or other services? We’d love to hear from you! Please contact us at info@compassionatejusticefund.
Speech Language Pathology
CLINICIAN: Carmen Martino M.S.
LOCATION: Oakville
Description of Services
- I am a speech language pathologist and I provide services to adolescents and adults who have sustained concussion, moderate, and severe TBI.
- Services are primarily virtual, with very limited in-person sessions, on a case-by-case basis.
- My office is located in Oakville
- My virtual platform is Zoom, with maximum privacy features and controls used and is PHIPA compliant.
Naturopathic Medicine
CLINICIAN: Dr. Maille Devlin N.D.
LOCATION: East End, Toronto
Description of Services
- I am a naturopathic doctor offering assistance with rehabilitation through several modalities including nutrition, lifestyle counseling, acupuncture, botanical medicine, and natural health supplementation.
- I am part of Rose Health Clinic and am available for both in-person appointments and virtual consultations. The clinic is located in the east end of Toronto.
- My virtual platform is OutSmart EMR which is PIPEDA, PHIPA, and HIPAA compliant.
Rehabilitation Services
CLINICIAN: Benn Barrantes, B.A., R.S.S.W.
LOCATION: Guelph & Surrounding Areas
Description of Services
- In collaboration with other regulated health professionals, we provide rehabilitation support services for persons with acquired brain injuries or other serious traumas.
- Our Rehabilitation Therapists (RTs) provide services primarily in-person, in accordance with all PPE protocols and government directives.
- On a case-by-case basis, RTs provide virtual sessions, using PHIPA compliant platforms (i.e., Zoom, doxy.me).
- We implement applied behaviour analysis strategies to our programming and support (i.e., reinforcement schedules, prompt fading, modeling, replacement behaviours, etc.).
- We assist and guide the development of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial skills, through strength and vestibular exercise programs as well as community reintegration.
- We promote functional independence through ADLs (i.e., continually assessing abilities, comprehension, and interest in the daily tasks of a preferred quality of life).
- We service the Guelph and surrounding areas (i.e., Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Wellington Township, Mapleton Township, etc.).
Psychotherapy and Behaviour Therapy
CLINICIAN: Sarah Downing M.A.
LOCATION: Toronto (in-person), Provincial (virtual)
Description of Services
- I support people to work through distress, navigate life changes, develop coping strategies,
explore goals, build positive mental health habits, or increase your understanding of self and
others. Whether you have experience with therapy or are trying therapy for the first time, The
Compassionate Justice Fund enables us to join forces.
– Anxiety
– Depression
– Stress Management
– Expression of Anger
– Low Self-Esteem
– Isolation
– Relationship Issues
– Work or School Difficulties
– Family Conflict
– Grief or Loss
– Trauma
– Acquired Brain Injury & Disabilities
– Substance Use
- Helping others has always made me feel an immense amount of joy. I am passionate about
psychotherapy because I believe it provides an avenue for self-growth and opportunity to
enhance quality of life. It is my goal to help others achieve what they need or want in order to
reach their fullest potential. My approach is client-centred, trauma-informed, non-judgmental,
collaborative, strengths-based, goal-oriented, and catered to individual needs. - It is essential for me to actively engage in anti-oppressive practice and be conscious of people’s unique lived experiences. I am anchored to utilizing cognitive-behavioural based interventions,
drawing from various modalities such as Cognitive and Dialectical Behaviour Therapies,
Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Positive Psychology,
Mindfulness, etc. I want to establish meaningful rapport, promote a sense of connection, and
create a safe space for sharing. - In addition to being dedicated to psychotherapy, I am currently a Behaviour Therapist with over
10 years of experience working with adults living with the effects of brain injury. Outside of my
career, I enjoy physical activity, all sports, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
- My virtual platform is doxy.me which PHIPPA compliant. I am available during the week day and
most weekday evenings. I can also provide a 20-minute consult to see if we’re a good fit! Let’s
connect!
Speech Language Pathology
CLINICIAN: Chad Clower M.Sc
LOCATION: Thunder Bay & North Western Ontario (in-person), Provincial (virtual)
Description of Services
- I have extensive experience in inpatient and community- based neuro-rehabilitation and
community care. - I provide assessments and treatment services for speech, language, cognitive communication
and dysphagia/swallowing impairments.
- I work with people of all ages living with concussion, acquired brain injury of all levels of severity
as well as other neurological deficits and decline. - I provide support and intervention for the communication abilities required for return-to-life,
return-to-work, return-to-play and return-to-school programs. - I am passionate about supporting people living with concussion, mTBI (mild traumatic brain
injury), moderate-severe TBI and ABI and, about supporting people who are underserved and
living in underserved communities. - I have had personal experience of concussions, mTBI’s as a high-level hockey player so I understand the challenges.
- My secure virtual program (Zoom) is PHIPA compliant and adheres to all college (CASLPO)
guidelines and health care legislation.
Yoga & Mindfulness / Holistic Health for People Living with Brain Injury
CLINICIAN: LoveYourBrain Foundation
LOCATION: Ontario, Canada and the USA (Virtual). Retreats (in person) USA.
Description of Services
- LoveYourBrain is a non-profit organization that improves the quality of life of people affected by
traumatic brain injury and raises awareness about the importance of brain health. We envision a
world where everyone affected by brain injury can fully access their resilience, connect with a
compassionate community, and reach their full potential.
- We offer a range of free research-backed programs for people with TBI and their caregivers
designed to improve resilience and community integration: - LoveYourBrain Yoga – 6-week gentle yoga with group discussion program delivered in yoga
studios across Canada and the US. - LoveYourBrain Retreats – 3-to-5-day retreats based on our pillars of movement, mindfulness,
nutrition, and community. These are offered in the US throughout the year. We are working
with the Compassionate Justice Fund to provide funding for travel costs for interested CJF
applicants from Ontario to attend, once travel opens up. (Please contact the CJF for
information). - LoveYourBrain Mindset Online – a 6-week virtual program that provides four mindfulness tools
(yoga, yoga nidra, meditation, and educational video). Participants can also choose to join a
weekly Zoom yoga class or small group discussion about the theme of the week. - We offer a free online library of meditations and yoga classes to support physical, mental, and
cognitive health.
Occupational Therapy Services
CLINICIAN: Neurorehab Services
LOCATION: Provincial (virtual)
Description of Services
- Neuro-Rehab Services is proud to be a Clinician Partner of The Compassionate Justice Fund. We are pleased to offer Virtual Occupational Therapy Services for Adults and Children across Ontario.
- We provide Client and Family-Centered, Culturally Sensitive Care: Our clients and their families are the center of the team- it is their unique values, goals, and priorities that drive our programs. NRS is committed to culturally sensitive programming and offers services in over 10 languages.
- NRS is Canadian owned company that has been providing community based rehabilitation services for adults and children across Ontario with complex needs for over 30 years. We have helped thousands of people to reach their potential in terms of a return to physical and social/leisure activities, work and school after a brain injury.
- Inspired by the courage of our clients and families, we know there is a world of possibilities.
- My secure virtual program (Zoom) is PHIPA compliant and adheres to all college (CASLPO)
guidelines and health care legislation.
Speech Language Pathology
CLINICIAN: Emilia Bozzo M.Sc. Reg. CASLPO
LOCATION: Hamilton, Burlington area (in person), Provincial (virtual)
Description of Services
- I have worked in acute care environments, rehabilitation centers, as well as in the community (peoples’ homes as well as supported living situations).
- I have worked extensively with people with brain injuries, first as a Behavioural Therapist and for the last 25 years as a Speech Language Pathologist. My focus is on cognitive-communication issues, speech, and dysphagia (swallowing disorders).
- I provide support and intervention for the communication abilities required for return-to-life,
return-to-work, return-to-play and return-to-school programs. - I have experience with people who have sustained their TBI from to many life changing traumas, and at every level of their recovery. I have worked in acute care environments, rehabilitation centers, as well as in the community (peoples’ homes as well as supported living situations). I am honoured to provide my services to those in need, and to this important initiative, the Compassionate Justice Fund.
- My secure virtual program (Zoom) is PHIPA compliant and adheres to all college (CASLPO)
guidelines and health care legislation.
Chiropractor &
Acupuncture
CLINICIAN: Total Body Chiropractic
LOCATION: Toronto
Description of Services
- Dr. Patricia McCord and her team provide chiropractic care, trauma-informed registered massage therapy and acupuncture.
Speech
Pathology
CLINICIAN: Buttle Speech Pathology
LOCATION: Ontario. Virtual services are available.
LOCATION: Ontario. Virtual services are available.
Description of Services
- Meghan Buttle and her team of speech-language pathologists provide assessments and treatment for cognitive-communication disorders and other communication disorders associated with traumatic brain injury. With firsthand experience as a family member of a brain injury survivor, Meagan is passionate about client-centred care and helping clients regain skills they feel they’ve lost.
Cognitive and Communication Services
CLINICIAN: Cognitive and Communication Services
LOCATION: London or virtual
LOCATION: London or virtual
Description of Services
- Lisa Jadd is a Speech Language Pathologist who provides assessments and treatment for cognitive-communication disorders and other communication disorders associated with traumatic brain injury.
Speech
Pathology
CLINICIAN: Neuroconnections: Danielle Hyde
LOCATION: Toronto/Halton or virtual
LOCATION: Toronto/Halton or virtual
Description of Services
- Danielle is a Speech Language Pathologist who provides assessments and treatment for cognitive-communication disorders and other communication disorders associated with traumatic brain injury.
Occupational Therapists & Rehabilitation
CLINICIAN: Melamed Palmer Inc., Innovative Rehab
LOCATION: Vaughan
LOCATION: Vaughan
Description of Services
- Melamed Palmer Inc., Innovative Rehab, is a community-based company composed of Occupational Therapists, Rehabilitation Coaches/Support Workers, and Case Managers that provide client and family-centred services, engaging the clients and their families in their care through co-creation and collaboration. We take an individualized and self-advocacy approach to ensure the rehabilitation services we provide are functional and meaningful for our clients to meet their needs and allow them to achieve their personal goals. Through this approach, our team at Melamed Palmer Inc. aims to provide our clients with the support and skills they need to live a life of purpose and meaning and improve their quality of life.
Neurologic Music Therapist
CLINICIAN: Cheryl Jones Ph.D. MTA
LOCATION: Ottawa and surrounding area (in-person) and virtual
LOCATION: Ottawa and surrounding area (in-person) and virtual
Description of Services
- Cheryl is a neurologic music therapist and a registered psychotherapist. She has over 15 years of experience working with individuals who has sustained an acquired brain injury (ABI) and uses music-based interventions to work on rehabilitation goals in the areas of speech, movement, cognition and mental health. Cheryl has also developed a music therapy model, Therapeutic Music Training, in which learning to play the piano is used to address therapeutic goals of cognitive rehabilitation or mental health. No music background is needed to participate in music therapy.
- Cheryl earned her PhD in Music and Health Sciences at the University of Toronto and her Master of Music Therapy degree, with a focus on music-centered psychotherapy, at Wilfrid Laurier University. She has taught courses in the music therapy departments of Wilfrid Laurier University and Concordia University and most recently was an Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice and Practicum Coordinator at the University of Miami. She is a member of the Music and Health Research Institute (MHRI) at the University of Ottawa. Her research interests include music-based cognitive rehabilitation and the use of music to address psychosocial goals such as depression or anxiety following an ABI. Cheryl has presented at numerous universities and at conferences, both national and international, regarding the use of music therapy with individuals who has experienced an ABI. She has published in several peer reviewed journals and her clinical work has been featured in 2 CBC national radio documentaries and in a book, Allison’s Brain.
Psychotherapy and Neuropsychology
CLINICIAN: Dr. Sean Robb Ph.D., C.Psych. (Supervised Practice), RP, Medical Psychotherapy Clinic
LOCATION: St. Catharine's
Description of Services
- Private Psychotherapy and neuro-rehabilitation services are provided by our team of registered psychotherapists. We offer both virtual and in-person options. Our focus is on helping those with complex challenges, often with those who have worked hard in the past but not yet had a great deal of success in making progress. Our person-centered approach means we work to find a good fit with you, and therapy styles can include CBT, ACT, DBT, and Solutions-Focused Therapy for depression, anxiety, trauma, personality disorders, as well as neurological disorders.
- Dr. Sean Robb holds a PhD and is a registered psychologist (supervised practice) and registered psychotherapist RP. He is (Cert)OAMHP, Clinical Neuropsychologist (Supervised Practice) and is also the Learning Director and Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct), at the Niagara Regional Campus of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. Sean is interested in utilizing the principles of neuropsychology and neurorehabilitation to inform psychotherapy approaches to assist individuals living with neurological challenge (e.g., stroke, dementia, brain injury). Often following these disruptions, people experience significant difficulties with their mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, PTSD) and cognitive capacity (difficulties with attention, memory, visuospatial problems, etc.). There is a large body of research to draw upon to help people with these difficulties; however, often mental health challenges and cognitive changes following neurological injury go un-addressed by the medical system, and Sean's work through Medical Psychotherapy is meant to provide clinical care and assessment, as well as teaching future clinicians around these issues.
Registered Trauma Informed Massage Therapy and/or Sensory Awareness Exploration
(Supporting mental health through self-regulation of the nervous system)
CLINICIAN: Kelly Glyn- Cosentino B.A, R.M.T. R.Y.I.
LOCATION: RMT: Toronto East End, Sensory Awareness: Virtual
CLINICIAN: Kelly Glyn- Cosentino B.A, R.M.T. R.Y.I.
LOCATION: RMT: Toronto East End, Sensory Awareness: Virtual
Description of Services
- Sensory Awareness Exploration is an experiential study that helps us rediscover our natural
birthright: an embodied felt sense of authenticity and vitality. Sensing focuses on
the cultivation of an ever-deepening awareness of our sensory experience as a
gateway into ourselves and into a deeper connection with the world around us. Sensory
Awareness is a practice that is done around the world: Please see
https://sensoryawareness.org/about/
In group workshops and individual sessions, clients are guided through
simple sensory techniques to help them become more deeply attuned and
responsive to the felt sensations and dynamics of gravity, including breathing, balance,
energy, movement, and more. Through a progressive awareness-expanding
process, habitual thoughts and tensions recede into the background as
senses revive, the nervous system calms, and we come to experience life more fully and clearly
in the moment. In this way we can gradually develop our capacity to embody greater
ease, presence and authenticity in everyday life. To see an example of Sensory Awareness
Exploration: https://youtu.be/tDqPE0_M4nM
- Kelly holds a BA from the University of Toronto and is a registered massage therapist RMT with additional training as a Trauma Informed Massage therapist. She has a Trauma Certificate from Wilfred Laurier University. She has developed Six modular trauma-informed education programs for massage therapists based on current research. She has completed Sensory Awareness Leadership Training and is currently studying Compassionate Inquiry with physician Dr. Gabor Mate. Kelly is also a trained yoga teacher and has extensive experience as a yoga practitioner, massage therapist and movement practitioner. Kelly is pleased to be able to share her expertise and compassion with Compassionate Justice Fund recipients.
Psychotherapist
CLINICIAN: Leah Trout, MSW, RSW
LOCATION: Toronto Wellness Collective, 489 College Street, Toronto, ON M6G
Description of Services
- As a therapist, Leah’s aim is to provide compassion and presence for you to feel emotionally
safe enough to move through growth and change. It can be difficult opening up to someone new. She will provide complete support to help you process and make sense of your experiences, and also provide experiential tools and practices to help you cope. Everyone is unique and there isn’t one approach that fits everyone equally. Leah believes in integrating aspects of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, and Somatic-Informed approaches. Her approach is attuned, compassionate and trauma-informed. She is currently training in Compassionate Inquiry, which is a trauma-informed approach created by trauma expert Dr. Gabor Mate.
She learned through her own experience of recovering from traumatic brain injury how essential, meaningful and authentic connections are for healing and wellbeing, so her aim is
to provide that same connection for you in an effort to ease your suffering, and instill hope.
If you have any questions about the Compassionate Justice Fund application process, please contact the OBIA Helpline at 1-800-263-5405 or email support@obia.on.ca