Services at the Brain Injury Center

The Brain Injury Center is a non-medical support organization focused on the well-being of brain injury survivors and their family/caregivers. Our services have been developed to provide the supports needed for brain injury survivors to experience as full and meaningful a life as possible.

Summary of Our Services


Photo of a couple in embraced while participating at the Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone Walk for Brain Injury fundraiser.

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Care Transitions – Hospital to Home

The Brain Injury Center of Ventura County serves people who are learning to live life after a brain injury at any point in their journey. But, we do know that the earlier we meet the survivor and their family, the better. Family support and advocacy makes a huge difference in the life of the survivor. Coaching the family in their new role, empowering the survivor, and helping both develop needed skills makes them more likely to achieve self-identified personal goals around symptom management and functional recovery.

Persons living life with a brain injury are faced with so many barriers it is hard to imagine. Coordinating dates and appointments, keeping track of medications, following doctor's orders for treatments and diet, trying to fit back into a family that does not understand what has happened to their loved-one are just a few.

Beginning at the point of discharge from the hospital, our staff work with the brain injury survivor, and their family care giver, to strengthen existing capabilities, identify needed supports, assist in managing community resources and empowering the client and family caregiver as they develop new, positive skills.

Caregiver stress over the multitude of adaptations and new activities, the changes in their loved one, and the isolation that occurs when energy is focused on the needs of the one being cared for can often result in what is known as "secondary patient" syndrome. The program's caregiver support and skill-building helps reduce the depression and other secondary patient syndrome symptoms.

The program's early intervention, immediately upon discharge, provides stabilization that reduces the use of emergency or inpatient medical services as patient and caregiver better utilize their own developing strengths and the supports available in the community. Program evaluation data (submitted for professional publication) supports the success of Care Transitions in avoiding re-injury and avoidable readmissions.

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BIC Brain Injury Home at Banner Ave CDSS ARF Licenses# 567609739

Our 24-hour, 6-bed, Adult Residential Facility is located in the heart of the beach community of San Buenaventura California. Banner House is a well-appointed residence with expansive landscapes, open yard, patios and gardens. Activities are client-centered with special focus on both cognitive and physical rehabilitation support. Meals use organic non-GMO ingredients that accommodate a wide variety of dietary preference.

Banner house staff are led by Certified Brain Injury Specialists with Administrative credentials from the State of California. Our highly skilled Caregiver staff have training and experience in both personal care and brain injury

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Individual Support & Care Coordination

Individual support services are available for brain injury survivors and/or their family/caregivers who require additional care coordination and support. Support is provided by Certified Brain Injury Specialist and typically include an assessment session, goal setting and assistance in improving reintegration in community, work and social life.

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Bi-Monthly Support Groups

Support Groups are based upon a peer-to-peer support model with facilitators assisting the group to learn more about brain injury and available services by meeting with others who are facing or have faced similar challenges. The essential elements of a support group are: gathering/sharing information; sharing common needs and strengths; providing a place to meet new friends and find new connections in the community; and providing an opportunity to give and receive support.

These groups are intended for brain injury (whether caused by a trauma to the head, stroke, illness or tumor) survivors – and their family/support system. There is no charge to attend any of our programs. Please contact the office for more information

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Social Opportunities

We offer a variety of social opportunities each month beyond our bi-weekly supports groups. These activities are intended for both brain injury survivors and care givers to engage in activities and shared interests. The activities range from bowling, picnics, dine-outs, art socials, music singalongs, karaoke, dancing, craft projects, a garden club and an annual gala celebrating both professionals and a survivor of the year. See the calendar for schedules

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Training & Skill Development

The Brain Injury Center offers on-going training and skill-building opportunities for both brain injury survivors and family/caregivers. Small group seminars are offered throughout the year on topics such as Auditory Complications After Brain Injury", "Healthy Intimate and Sexual Relationships", "Navigating the Healthcare System", "Special Needs Trusts", Problem Solving" and others. An annual conference is held for professionals, caregivers, survivors and brain injury advocates as well as annual Caregiver Retreat. See the calendar for schedules