Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Secures Three-Year Grant for National Paralysis Resource Center

SHORT HILLS, N.J., July 2, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life for people and families living with paralysis, has announced today that the Administration for Community Living (ACL) has awarded a three-year grant to continue its support of the National Paralysis Resource Center (PRC). The cooperative agreement will commence in July with over $6.5 million awarded for the first year of the grant.

The PRC is the only national program that directly serves the 5.4 million Americans living with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke, spina bifida, cerebral palsy and other forms of paralysis. The Reeve Foundation has operated the PRC for 16-years, competing in a rigorous, competitive bidding process every three-years for renewal of funding.

"Since the PRC opened its doors in 2002, it has served as a free, comprehensive, national source of informational support for people living with paralysis and their caregivers," said Maggie Goldberg, Vice President, Policy and Programs, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. "Our work is deeply aligned with ACL's mission to empower people with disabilities to live independently and actively participate in their communities. With this grant and the continued support of ACL, we can expand our life-saving resources to offer a continuum of critical care to the greater paralysis community."

In partnership with ACL, the PRC works to combat the environmental, social, and systems barriers to health and community living for individuals with all forms of paralysis and their family members through a vast network of services and educational resources, including:

Information Specialists: One of the PRC's signature programs is a team of certified, trained Information Specialists who are often the first port of call for those newly injured or diagnosed with paralysis. To date, Information Specialists have provided direct counseling to 90,000 people. The PRC has also distributed 200,000 copies of its Paralysis Resource Guide, a staple in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities across the country.

Peer & Family Support Program: The Peer & Family Support Program is national network that offers peer-to-peer connections to individuals and family members impacted by paralysis. Over 280 peer mentors have been trained and certified in 43 states. These individuals have mentored 8,000 peers, including 1,500 caregivers.

Quality of Life Grants Program: The PRC's Quality of Life Grants Program operates at the community level to fund nonprofit initiatives in all 50 states. Since 1999, the Quality of Life Grants Program has directed over $23 million dollars to fund nearly 3,000 projects. This program has increased employment trainings and accessible transportation; established adaptive sports programs and camps for children; improved access to buildings, playgrounds and universities; helped individuals learn how to manage their financial well-being, and provided support services for veterans.

Military & Veterans Program; Multicultural Outreach Program: The PRC has a comprehensive Military &Veterans Program, which provides dedicated resources to help individuals navigate military and civilian benefits as they reintegrate into their communities. The PRC also facilitates a Multicultural Outreach Program that is designed to engage and support underserved populations like ethnic minorities, older adults, low income earners, and LGBTQ individuals.

"Instead of accepting that life with paralysis would be full of limitations, Christopher and Dana Reeve created the Paralysis Resource Center to offer families a centralized place for resources and expertise, as well as a lifeline of support to navigate immediate and long-term challenges," said Peter Wilderotter, President and CEO, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. "Through our ongoing partnership with ACL, we will continue this vital work and elevate quality of life for all individuals living with paralysis."

While the grant awarded to the Reeve Foundation supports the operation of a National Paralysis Resource Center through June 2021, the funding level is allocated annually in the federal budget. In the past two years, funding has been eliminated for the PRC in the President's budget but was ultimately appropriated thanks to bipartisan support from Members of Congress and outreach from Reeve Foundation advocates.

"The PRC is smart federal funding at work. Through a constellation of resources that serve the nuanced needs of individuals living with paralysis and their caregivers, the PRC helps people transition back to their homes and gain the tools they need to return to their communities," said Patricia Volland, Board of Directors, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. "On both a national and community level, the PRC empowers the millions of American families impacted by paralysis to lead independent lives and seize real hope for a brighter future. We are grateful to the Reeve advocates and Members of Congress, including Senator Baldwin, Congressman Leonard Lance and Congressman Jim Langevin, who championed the impact and value of the PRC."

For more information on the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, please visit ChristopherReeve.org.

About the Reeve Foundation
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau's standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB's Charity Seal. The Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) is a program of the Reeve Foundation, and is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (cooperative agreement number 90PRRC0002-01-00). For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-539-7309.

SOURCE Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation