Left to right: Chrissy Stamegna, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Center of
Ventura County; Lily Zepeda, Care Transitions Program Director; Berenise Lemus, Care
Transitions Support and Banner House Administrator; Kristen Linton, 海角社区CI Associate
Professor of Health Science.
By Daisy Ratzlaff
An innovative partnership between 海角社区CI and the Brain Injury Center of Ventura County is changing how individuals affected by brain injuries receive support and care. This unique collaboration has not only benefited the center but has also been instrumental in shaping the careers of many 海角社区CI students.
"We are fortunate to have this partnership with 海角社区CI. It has made a huge difference,鈥 said Chrissy Stamegna, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Center of Ventura County. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think we would be where we are today without it. We have been able to provide a lot of different services and really extend our mission.鈥
The Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive services to 700 survivors and their families annually, has long been a beacon of hope for those navigating the challenges of life after a brain injury. With a mission to enhance the quality of life through education, advocacy and support services, it has been a vital resource for the Ventura County community.
鈥淭here has been an increase in numbers, as well as awareness (of brain injuries). People didn鈥檛 used to see things like concussions as a brain injury,鈥 said Stamegna. 鈥淣ow, we know it is a mild traumatic brain injury, and people are more likely to seek medical care and treatment rather than just say, 鈥極h, you just bumped your head.鈥欌
At the core of the partnership is a shared vision to provide holistic and personalized
care for brain injury survivors, with a focus on education, rehabilitation and community
integration. Through a multidisciplinary approach that combines the expertise of 海角社区CI
faculty and students with the specialized services of the Brain Injury Center, individuals
receive comprehensive support tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.
The collaboration has also created opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and clinical training in brain injury rehabilitation. Since 2015, the partnership has served as a launchpad for students pursuing careers in healthcare and social services, as well as a pathway to graduate programs in physician assistant studies, social work and nursing. Under the guidance of the center鈥檚 experienced professionals, students can apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings, refining their skills and deepening their understanding of brain injury care.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a dream to work with the Brain Injury Center,鈥 said Kristen Linton, the driving force behind the partnership and a 海角社区CI Associate Professor of Health Science. 鈥淥ur students are more prepared for clinical roles. They are one-on-one with clients 鈥 helping with cooking and socialization, learning about their needs and staying connected with the community.鈥
The nine-year partnership has already helped implement two interventions developed by Linton to aid survivors in their journey toward recovery and community integration. One of these interventions is a bilingual/bicultural hospital-to-home support program designed particularly for Latinos with brain injuries. Additionally, a new virtual reality rehabilitation intervention has been implemented this semester to complement the existing assistance provided by students at Banner House, a 24-hour, six-bedroom adult residential facility operated by the Brain Injury Center in Ventura.
鈥淭he goal is to give people with brain injuries access to rehabilitation and therapy without having to leave their homes,鈥 said Stamegna. 鈥淔requently after a brain injury, insurance will only cover six to eight weeks of physical, occupational and speech therapy. This new pilot program will hopefully help people have more access to these services.鈥
Student Berenise Lemus and graduate Lily Zepeda have found purpose and fulfillment in their roles at the Brain Injury Center.
"You get a lot of firsthand experience on how things work. It gives you a sense of purpose to be able to help others, and I absolutely love it," said Lemus, a Biology major, who is a trabajadora de salud (health worker) and Assistant Administrator at the Center.
Lily Zepeda, a 2018 Health Science graduate, started as a trabajadora de salud and now serves as the Center鈥檚 full-time Program Coordinator.
鈥淲hen I first started, my goal was to go to nursing school. Little did I know that this is very similar in a different aspect. You are working directly with clients,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 really want to go to nursing school for the clinical aspect of things; I wanted to go to nursing school because it was my purpose in life, but working here showed me that I can serve in other ways.鈥