Program Overview
The mission of the national Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) operated by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is to improve the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information, and advocacy. The PRC provides comprehensive information and navigation for people living with spinal cord injury, paralysis, and mobility-related disabilities and their families. Resources include information and referral by phone and email in multiple languages (including Spanish); a peer and family support mentoring program; a military and veterans program; multicultural and underserved populations outreach services; quality of life grants; and a national website with an online community.
Learn about another ACL program funded by NIDILRR: Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center: Spinal Cord Injury.
Project Goals
- A resource center with dedicated information specialists; a resource-rich website containing customized materials including fact sheets, Paralysis Resource Guide, and educational and health promotion videos, booklets and wallet cards, all available at no charge to the public.
- A comprehensive outreach program dedicated to increasing the quality of life of individuals from underserved and minority communities including the African American, Native American, Hispanic, and Asian American populations. Other underserved populations which the PRC assists include people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), rural residents, people with limited or no English proficiency, those living in poverty, youth, seniors, the incarcerated or formerly incarcerated, individuals with substance abuse disorders, homeless individuals, those who are uninsured or underinsured, victims of abuse or crime, and people living with paralysis who have multiple co-occurring disabilities including psychiatric, emotional or sensory disabilities.
- The national Peer and Family Support Program provides certified trained peer mentors to assist individuals living with paralysis and related mobility impairments, their family members, and caregivers.
- A national Quality of Life program that awards grants to paralysis-focused nonprofit, community-based organizations so that they may implement programs aimed at improving the health, wellness, and independence of people living with paralysis and other mobility impairments, including a High Impact Innovative Assistive Technology grant category, making grants to state programs funded through the State Assistive Technology Act Program, and funding to support efforts to transition people living with paralysis from nursing homes to community living, respite care, and emergency preparedness.
- National surveillance that increases understanding of the true impact of paralysis by disease category, injury, and quality of life indicators that are used to shape and revise PRC programs and services, as well as provide accurate and timely information to other disability organizations, including federal agencies.
- A public policy program that provides outreach and education to elevate the voices of people living with paralysis and their families through education and outreach efforts in the areas of community-based long-term services and supports, enhanced family caregiver support, health insurance, and access to rehabilitation technologies.
- A Military & Veterans Program (MVP) to include resources and community connections for service men and women, as well as veterans living with paralysis, whether through combat-related, service-related, or non-service-related events. The PRC serves veterans and military personnel who served in any era.
Authorizing Legislation
See this page for information about the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act.
Organization
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
636 Morris Turnpike, Suite 3A
Short Hills, NJ 07078
Paralysis Resource Center
Grant Number
90PRRC0002
Contact
Margaret Goldberg, Vice President, Policy and Programs
Phone: (973) 379-2690 Ext 7206 or (800) 225-0292
Email: mgoldberg@christopherreeve.org
Award Amount
$6,511,661
Project Officer
Elizabeth Leef
Phone: (202) 475-2482
Email: Elizabeth.leef@acl.hhs.gov