If your child sustains a moderate to severe brain injury, it’s possible that he will have to do a portion of his recovery at an inpatient rehabilitation facility.

An inpatient rehabilitation facility is basically a medical facility that specializes in helping people return to maximum function after catastrophic illness or injury. A rehabilitation team will be assigned to your child, and together with the doctor, the team will come up with a rehabilitation program designed to suit your child’s particular needs.

Facilities that have been recognized by the Commission on Accreditation and Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) meet a certain standard of care, and generally offer a better variety of services. You can contact CARF by calling 1-(520) 325-1044, or by logging on to www.carf.org.

The Department of Health’s Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) also designates certain facilities Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP) facilities. In order to earn this designation, the facility must be accredited by CARF in brain injury, and must admit a certain amount of brain injury patients per year.

In addition, there are 14 Model Systems Centers located throughout the United States. These facilities are considered the best in the nation. For more information on these centers, their locations, and what kinds of services they offer, check out www.msktc.washington.edu.

Finding the right rehabilitation facility is one of the most important decisions you will make when it comes to your child’s future. For additional guidance, see our section on choosing a facility, or click on our list of rehabilitation facilities by state.