Chrissy Stamegna, from left, Lily Zepeda, Berenice Lemus and Kristen Linton. Courtesy photo.
CAMARILLO — California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) and the Brain Injury Center of Ventura County have formed a collaborative partnership to enhance support and care for individuals affected by brain injuries. The unique collaboration has enabled the expansion of services and mission of the Brain Injury Center and has shaped the career trajectories of numerous students.
At the core of the partnership lies a shared vision of providing comprehensive and personalized care for brain injury survivors, with a strong focus on education, rehabilitation, and seamless integration into the community. Through a collaborative approach that combines the expertise of CSUCI faculty and students with the specialized services of the Brain Injury Center, individuals impacted by brain injuries receive tailored support to address their unique needs and circumstances.
“It’s been a dream to work with the Brain Injury Center,” said Kristen Linton, the driving force behind the partnership and a CSUCI Associate Professor in the Health Science program. “Our students are more prepared for clinical roles, which about ? of our Health Science students want to go into. They are one-on-one with the clients, help with cooking, socialization, and learning about their needs and staying connected with the community.”
The nine-year-long partnership has already helped implement two interventions developed by Linton to support individuals on their journey to recovery and community reintegration. These interventions include a bilingual/bicultural hospital-to-home support program designed for individuals, particularly Latinos, with brain injuries and a newly introduced, innovative virtual reality rehabilitation program aimed at enhancing access to therapy and rehabilitation services at home.
Since 2015, the collaboration has provided opportunities for CSUCI students to gain hands-on experience and clinical training in brain injury rehabilitation. It has served as a platform for 20 paid student employees, student volunteers, and 13 service-learning students pursuing careers in healthcare and social services, offering a pathway to graduate programs in various healthcare disciplines, including physician assistant studies, social work, and nursing.
Chrissy Stamegna, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Center of Ventura County, expressed appreciation for the partnership, stating, “We are very fortunate to have the partnership with CSUCI. It has really made a huge difference. I don’t think we would be where we are today without the partnership. We have been able to provide a lot of different services and really extend our mission.”
The Center, a nonprofit organization, serves 700 brain injury survivors and their families annually. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life for those impacted by brain injuries through education, advocacy, and support services.
For more information about the Brain Injury Center of Ventura County and CSUCI, please visit https://www.braininjurycenter.org/ or https://www.csuci.edu/.
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY CHANNEL ISLANDS — California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) is Ventura County’s only public university and opened in 2002 as the 23rd campus in the CSU system serving the regions of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles counties, as well as the entire state. CSUCI is located between Camarillo and the Oxnard Plain, midway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles and 25 miles north from Malibu.
The campus is nestled against the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and is a 10-minute drive from the Pacific Ocean. With more than 5,600 students, 24,500 alumni, and 1,000 employees, CSUCI is poised to grow in size and distinction, while maintaining one of the most student-focused learning environments in public higher education with more than 90 academic degrees, teaching credentials, certificates, and professional and community programs.
Connect with and learn more by visiting www.csuci.edu or CSUCI’s Social Media.
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