Community Head Injury Resource Services

What Community Head Injury Resource Services does

Community Head Injury Resource Services (CHIRS) is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization founded in 1978 in Toronto, originally as Ashby House. It operates as the first community-based acquired brain injury (ABI) rehabilitation program in North America, delivering a multi-service continuum that includes residential programs, community-based supports, clinical services (including board-certified neuropsychology), and adult day services for adults living with ABI. Its business model is government-funded: Ontario Health and the Ontario Ministry of Health serve as the primary funders, supplemented by Ontario Trillium Foundation grants and charitable contributions. CHIRS is accredited by Accreditation Canada (since 1997, most recently with Exemplary Standing in 2025) and operates with 101–250 employees across its Toronto-area facilities.

CHIRS generates revenue predominantly through government transfer payments for contracted service volumes rather than fee-for-service pricing. Its go-to-market is relationship-based and referral-driven, anchored in its Toronto ABI Network membership and operational partnerships with York Region Behavioural Services, Street Haven, Fred Victor, COTA Health, and the Salvation Army, which enable coordinated referrals for clients with complex needs. The organization reinvests in physical infrastructure (e.g., HVAC replacement in 2023) and governance (Enterprise Risk Framework, expanded Board in January 2026) to maintain accreditation standing and funder confidence, with Hedy Chandler serving as CEO following her 2023 promotion.

Name

Community Head Injury Resource Services

Legal name

Community Head Injury Resource Services

Website

https://chirs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Community Head Injury Resource Services is a Toronto-based not-for-profit founded in 1978 providing residential, community, clinical, and adult day services to adults living with acquired brain injury, funded primarily by Ontario Health.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Home Health Care Services (62161), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurological Rehabilitation Therapy In-Home (e.g., Stroke, Parkinson’s) (HSABADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cognitive-Communication & Memory Rehab Therapy In-Home (HSABADAL), Adult Day Rehabilitation & Therapy Programs (PT/OT/SLP) (HLADAIAD), Behavioral Health & Cognitive Support Coordination (Dementia, Depression, SUD) (HSABAIAF)

Keywords

• Acquired brain injury rehabilitation
• Residential brain injury services
• Community support services ABI
• Neuropsychological assessment services
• Adult day services ABI

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: CHIRS is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization primarily funded by Ontario Health and by the Ontario Ministry of Health. Services are offered on a subsidized and fee-for-service basis.
2. Donations: Charitable donations through CHIRS Foundation for Brain Injury Rehabilitation, with donations processed via CanadaHelps and cheque payments. Tax receipts provided for charitable contributions.
3. Fee for Service: Individuals with third party funding can access services on a fee-for-service basis. This includes customized employment supports, neuropsychological services, and specialized programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CHIRS delivers a comprehensive, evidence-based acquired brain injury (ABI) service model integrating residential services (24-hour supported housing across three sites), community support services (in-home and independent-living assistance), clinical programs (neuropsychological assessments, neuropsychiatric treatment, and clinical groups such as cTech, DBT, Positive Psychology, and SUBI), and adult day services (social, recreation, and skill-building programs). Services are offered on both a subsidized and fee-for-service basis to adults living with ABI and their families in the Greater Toronto Area, supported by a multidisciplinary team including board-certified neuropsychologists and certified rehabilitation professionals.

Product overview

CHIRS offers a comprehensive, multi-service model for acquired brain injury (ABI) care through distinct but interconnected programs. The core service portfolio includes Residential Services (supported living across three facilities), Adult Day Services/CHIRS Club (social and recreational programming), and Ashby Community Support Services (community-based independent living support). Clinical Programs encompass Neuropsychological Services (assessment and therapy), Neuropsychiatric Services, and Clinical Groups (cTech technology rehabilitation, DBT, Positive Psychology, SUBI substance abuse groups). The CardSharks+ social enterprise provides vocational alternatives through handcrafted card production. All services operate under an integrated clinical model with shared staff consultation, assessment tools (including InterRAI), and consistent accreditation standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Services Long-term supportive housing for adults with acquired brain injury across three CHIRS-owned, fully wheelchair-accessible residences in the Greater Toronto Area, providing 24-hour supervision and variable support levels.
• Ashby Community Support Services (ACSS) Community-based support for adults with ABI living independently or with family, including assistance with home management, personal management, skill development, education, employment, and community participation.
• Adult Day Services (CHIRS Club) Social, recreation, fitness, group sports, and skill-building programs delivered in accessible locations across Toronto for adults with acquired brain injury, including the CHIRS Club drop-in centre.
• Clinical Groups Psycho-educational and goal-directed clinical groups facilitated by CHIRS clinical staff, including cTech, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Living Well with Brain Injury, Positive Psychology, and SUBI groups.
• cTech Program Mobile technology program using smartphones and tablets to deliver individual errorless training and group sessions for cognitive compensation after acquired brain injury.
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Group Skills-based group based on The Skills System (modified DBT for ABI), teaching mindfulness, emotion regulation, and coping strategies for individuals with emotional and behavioural changes after brain injury.
• Positive Psychology Groups Workshop series including Your Best Self (self-esteem building) and Finding Happiness (cognitive routines to increase happiness) for adults with acquired brain injury; offered at no cost to those qualifying for subsidy.
• Living Well with a Brain Injury Workshop 12-week psycho-educational workshop helping adults living with ABI develop coping and life skills, priced at $40 for those qualifying for subsidy.
• SUBI Groups (Substance Abuse and Brain Injury) Substance abuse education and support groups including a 12-week SUBI Intensive program and integrated AA meetings for individuals with co-occurring substance use and brain injury.
• Neuropsychological Services Comprehensive neuropsychological assessments, individual psychotherapy, group therapy, neurobehavioural evaluations, and behaviour therapy consultation delivered by board-certified neuropsychologists (Dr. Carolyn Lemsky, Dr. Clare Brandys, Dr. Michelle Busse).
• Neuropsychiatric Services Specialized neuropsychiatric assessment and long-term treatment for post-brain injury psychiatric manifestations, delivered through the collaboration with the Acquired Brain Injury Clinic at Toronto Western Hospital.
• CardSharks+ Handcrafted card-making social enterprise providing vocational alternatives for adults with brain injury, with proceeds supporting program operations and participant compensation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of clients and families were satisfied or very satisfied with CHIRS services (61% VERY satisfied, 28% satisfied) according to 2016 survey
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered primary, core, secondary and minor.

• Ontario HealthprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOntario Health is CHIRS' primary funder alongside the Ontario Ministry of Health. CHIRS is primarily funded through these government health organizations to deliver acquired brain injury services.
• Ontario Ministry of HealthprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment funding partner providing primary operational funding for CHIRS programs and services for individuals with acquired brain injury.
• Toronto ABI NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHIRS is a member agency of the Toronto ABI Network, which offers a single point referral service to publicly funded member agencies. CHIRS accepts referrals through this network.
• York Region Behavioural ServicessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership established for consultation and service delivery expansion into York Region.
• Street HavenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Street Haven as part of new collaborations to better support individuals with complex needs.
• Fred VictorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support individuals with complex needs in the community.
• COTA HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with COTA Health to support individuals with complex needs.
• Salvation ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to better support individuals with complex needs.
• Acquired Brain Injury Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnique collaboration providing specialized neuropsychiatric services through the combination of the ABI Clinic, Neuropsychiatry Program at Toronto Western Hospital, and CHIRS.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lifemark Health Group: National provider of rehabilitation, occupational health, and community health services including neurological rehab. Comparable as a scaled rehabilitation services provider with ABI-relevant programs, though broader and for-profit.
• Baycrest Health Sciences: Toronto-based academic health sciences centre specializing in geriatric care, brain health, and rehabilitation, including ABI-related programming. Comparable as a Toronto brain-health and residential care provider with overlapping populations and a research-driven approach.
• CBI Health Group: Canada's largest network of interdisciplinary healthcare services, including ABI/neurological rehabilitation across community and clinic settings. Comparable in delivering rehabilitation services to ABI clients but operates as a large, multi-site for-profit provider.
• Hamilton Health Sciences: Multi-site academic hospital network operating the Acquired Brain Injury Program in partnership with CHIRS. Comparable as an ABI service provider in Ontario with overlapping clinical mission and an active strategic relationship with CHIRS.
• Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (UHN): Hospital-based rehabilitation network within University Health Network offering inpatient and outpatient ABI programs. Comparable as a leading ABI provider in Toronto with overlapping clinical expertise and a formal partnership relationship with CHIRS via the Neuropsychiatry Program.

Direct peers

• Brain Injury Society of Toronto (BIST): Toronto-area member-driven organization supporting people affected by acquired brain injury through programs, advocacy, and community services. Directly comparable as a peer ABI support organization operating in the same geography as CHIRS.
• Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA): Provincial association providing education, advocacy, and support for individuals with acquired brain injury and their families across Ontario. Comparable in mission (ABI support services) and target population, though operating at a provincial advocacy rather than direct-service level.
• March of Dimes Canada: National non-profit providing community-based rehabilitation and disability support services across Canada, including acquired brain injury programs. Highly comparable as a charitable multi-service agency serving persons with disabilities through residential, community, and clinical offerings.
• Brain Injury Canada: National charitable organization dedicated to brain injury awareness, education, and support. Comparable as a peer not-for-profit in the ABI ecosystem with overlapping advocacy and resource-providing functions.

Regional players

• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital: Toronto-based pediatric rehabilitation hospital serving children with disabilities including ABI. Comparable in delivering evidence-based rehabilitation in the GTA, though focused on the pediatric population rather than CHIRS's adult mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/chirstoronto
• Xx.com/c_h_i_r_s

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Head Injury Resource Services