SCI Navigator Program

image of a man seating in a wheelchair across the table from a woman

Kessler Foundation SCI Navigator Program

The SCI Navigator Program at Kessler Foundation provides a free, dedicated resource for individuals with spinal cord injury and their families. Through care coordination, support adjusting to home life, and connections to community resources, the program meets the evolving needs of people living with spinal cord injury.

Meet the SCI Navigator Staff

SCI Navigator Program Leadership

blue background with four images displaying the path from hospital to inpatient rehabilitation, to home, to back to the community.

Providing Free Support Across the SCI Recovery Journey

SCI Navigators work one-on-one with people living with SCI and their families, helping at every stage in their recovery journey, from hospital to home. Navigators guide patients and families through the complex healthcare system so they feel empowered to focus on their care and rehabilitation goals.

a man seating in a wheelchair with trees behind him

Optimizing SCI Recovery with Personalized Care and Resources

SCI Navigators are available to meet in person, over the phone, and on video conferencing. They can:

  • Support and advocate during healthcare transitions
  • Locate services, communicate with care providers, and coordinate appointments
  • Recommend ways to improve accessibility in the home
  • Guide families through insurance claims and benefits
  • Provide educational materials and connections to community resources
picture of a man on a wheelchair with his family.

Supporting Families

Spinal cord injury impacts families, not just the person injured. Navigators can provide education and supportive resources to families of people with SCI. Navigators educate families about living with paralysis, help address barriers to care, and advise on how family caregivers can take care of themselves while taking care of their loved ones.

image of two women taking measurements of a home

Guiding Home Modification

Navigators offer modification guidance to help people with SCI and their families adapt their homes for wheelchair accessibility. In New Jersey, trained occupational therapists can provide assessments on-site with personalized recommendations. People with SCI living in other states can receive virtual support by phone or through a telehealth platform to support safe, independent living.

Frequently Asked Questions: SCI Navigator Program

Program FAQs

How to Get in Touch

By Phone

Katreina Casale, Program Administrator: 973.703.5750 

Elyse Giuffre, SCI Navigator Manager: 973.703.5754

By Email

[email protected]