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U.S. service members have sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) since 2000 according to the VA, contributing to this condition’s status as the “signature injury” of post-9/11 veterans. Brain injuries and their symptoms are often misunderstood, leading to underreported rates of TBI and countless veterans suffering from this lifelong condition in silence.
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TBI face complex, layered challenges with neurological, physical, emotional, and social components. The veterans facing these challenges deserve holistic, individualized care that recognizes the interconnected nature of their struggles.
Amongst those who find support for their TBI, treatment typically happens behind hospital walls. At Bastion, Headway happens in the community—where veterans actually live their lives. This long-term day program, funded by the Wounded Warrior Project, delivers occupational therapy, cognitive rehab, and vocational support in tandem with daily life. Through the power of connection and group-based support, Headway enhances the effectiveness of clinical interventions by rooting them in trust, shared experience, and meaningful daily rhythms. In the fight against loneliness and isolation, the greatest resource our veterans have is each other, and we center those connections to maximize the impact of other interventions.
Headway is a CARF-accredited community integration program for post-9/11 veterans living with a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other neurological condition. We work with warriors and family support members to maximize independence, improve skills, and build supportive networks. Veteran participants have the opportunity to receive community-based occupational therapy, engage creatively, build practical and vocational skills, spend time in the community, participate in recreational and wellness activities, and more with their fellow veterans weekly.
The program offers transportation of non-resident participants to and from sessions and all offsite activities, providing respite support to family members and caregivers who are invited to additional support through dedicated caregiver programming. By participating in Headway, the entire veteran family unit will have new support to help them grow closer, happier, and healthier together.
Headway was born within the Bastion community in New Orleans. Thanks to the continued support of Wounded Warrior Project, Bastion established our first expansion site with the opening of Headway-San Antonio, bringing this program’s unique model of community-based reintegration and care to the TBI-affected veterans of “Military City USA.” Bastion is so proud to expand this signature program to veterans hubs around the country where we can serve those who will benefit from the community support and individualized services that the Headway model provides.
