Concussion Clinic for High School Athletes
Jodi House Brain Injury Support Center, in collaboration with Cottage Hospital and the Santa Barbara High School District, will be hosting a concussion clinic for high school athletes this fall. Three local high schools, Santa Barbara, Dos Pueblos, and San Marcos will identify students who may have suffered a concussion while participating on school teams (most often, football players). Students will be informed that they must be evaluated by a health care professional licensed and experienced in the management of concussion, and given the option to contact the Cottage Hospital Pediatric Trauma Department to arrange for an appointment at the concussion clinic. Visits to the clinic will be free of charge for the athletes. Cottage Hospital trauma staff will also educate high schools student athletes about the effects of a concussion as well as repeated concussions, to stress the importance of receiving medical care after such an incident may have occurred, and inform them about the effects that multiple concussions may have on one’s brain health. Jodi House staff will be available to provide referrals to additional resources, if requested by the family. This is the second year that Cottage Hospital trauma staff has offered a concussion clinic. Goals are to increase student athlete’s reporting, and to ensure appropriate care after a concussion may have occurred.
About Jodi House
Jodi House is a community based non-profit serving survivors of stroke, aneurism, traumatic and acquired brain injuries. It provides an activity-based, peer-driven day program, consisting of both structured and unstructured activities. Support groups, communication skills, exercise, music, art, Spanish language, job skills, community outings, and educational presentations are all designed to help brain injury survivors strengthen their physical and cognitive skills in a nurturing, community-based environment. Jodi House also links survivors and their families to various agencies that support mental wellness, continued medical care and rehabilitation, vocational resources, social services and education programs.
