Supporting patients and caregivers in the physical rehabilitation continuum
Community Engagement Services
From diagnosis-specific support groups and connecting you with resources in the community to peer mentoring for patients and caregivers alike, our community engagement team is focused on helping address factors that impact one’s health and providing needed resources to enhance each person’s recovery journey to help people transition back into the community.
Support groups provide a combination of educational resources and a network of peer support during and following patients’ initial physical rehabilitation stays. We provide support groups for caregivers in addition to several diagnoses, including stroke, limb loss, concussion, Parkinson’s disease, and aphasia. To view all upcoming support groups, please click here.
Illness and injury not only impact our patients, but their caregivers as well. Our ambassadors have lived experience as a caregiver and are here to support your well-being and success during your loved one’s journey by providing advice and compassion through one-on-one meetings.
Through Unite Us, our community engagement team is linked to an expansive network of valuable resources in your area that support identified social care needs. We efficiently connect patients and their caregivers with verified organizations that support a smooth transition back into the community.
Our EmpowerU series is a program of events designed to provide opportunities for you to grow, learn, and stay connected. Topics throughout the year range from educational sessions to health and wellness classes to support the next steps in your healing journey. To view upcoming EmpowerU sessions, please click here.
Key Community Partner Organizations
To watch all of our community partner videos, visit our YouTube Channel.
Additional Helpful Resources
Website: www.stroke.org
Contact Number: (800) 242-8721
Website: www.amputee-coalition.org
Contact Number: (888) 267-5669
Website: www.bia-usa.org
Contact Number: (800) 444-6443
Website: www.caregiveraction.org
Contact Number: (855) 227-3640
Website: www.caregiver.org
Contact Number: (800) 445-8106
Website: www.nimh.nih.gov
Contact Number: (866) 615-6464
Trauma Survivors Network (TSN) is a community of patients and survivors seeking connection with one another to rebuild their lives after serious injury. The goal of TSN’s resources and programs is to ensure survivors of trauma have a stable recovery and to connect those who share similar stories. TSN offers various support groups for survivors as well as a support group for family and caregivers, both of which are virtual. TSN also offers a trauma-focused and self-empowered six-week course for survivors called NextSteps to help survivors take control of their recovery.
Website: www.traumasurvivorsnetwork.orgContact Number: (800) 556-7890
Website: www.unitedspinal.org
Contact Number: (800) 962-9629
Website: www.virginianavigator.org/for-caregivers
Contact Number: (866) 393-0957
Website: www.wellspouse.org
Our partnership with Sheltering Arms Institute has and continues to result in persons with brain injury and their families being connected with services faster and—most importantly—at the right time for that person and their family. We are able to work with these clients in a much more proactive manner, putting services and resources in place before the person and their family are in a crisis situation.
Understanding the role of community engagement services in the recovery journey
Community engagement services at Sheltering Arms Institute aim to identify, address, and improve the healthcare needs of patients and caregivers by collaborating with partners who specialize in specific resources. The Community Engagement team focuses on supporting a patient’s progress and extending the positive impact of physical rehabilitation services by connecting individuals with the continued support services they may need.
Our key community partners are other non-profit organizations that provide crucial support to our patients and caregivers. Representatives from our key community partners visit our main campus for in-person meetings with patients and caregivers during the inpatient rehabilitation stay. Meeting early on in the rehabilitation journey establishes connections and relationships to support returning to the community upon discharge. Our team can also connect individuals with resources beyond our key partners as needed.
You or your loved one are welcome to connect with our community partners at any point during the rehabilitation journey; however, we strive to connect you with resources early on in your journey. While it may feel early to discuss this when you first arrive, many of our partners are able to begin supporting you during your inpatient rehab at Sheltering Arms Institute. Initial connections can help reduce the task of searching for resources later on, and we are happy to schedule follow-up calls on your behalf for our partners to contact you directly.
Your care team can help recommend resources that best suit your needs and will discuss these options with you during your therapy sessions. Our community engagement team can also meet with you or your loved one to review resources and conduct screenings to find programs in your area.
You may contact our community partner agencies directly or you can reach out to the community engagement team and we will facilitate a referral to that organization on your behalf.
Our network extends far beyond our key community partners. Through a platform called Unite Us, we can search for and locate organizations and programs based on your unique needs and zip code to find verified resources that best suit you and your loved ones. Our goal is to help you and your loved ones learn about additional resources available to you so that you have the autonomy to advocate for your health and social needs.
To reach the community engagement team, please email community.engagement@sai.rehab or call (804) 578-6532.
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