The Bridge Line

THE BRIDGELINE ENRICHES THE LIVES OF ADULTS WITH BRAIN INJURIES BY FOSTERING INDEPENDENCE THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED DAY AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICES.

PRE-VOCATIONAL DAY PROGRAM THE BRIDGELINE PROVIDES A PRE-VOCATIONAL DAY PROGRAM SERVING RESIDENTS OF CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY AND THE BLUE RIDGE HEALTH DISTRICT. MEMBERS CAN LEARN VALUABLE WORK AND SOCIAL SKILLS TO ACHIEVE VOCATIONAL AND/OR INDEPENDENT LIVING GOALS. THE STRUCTURE IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE INDEPENDENCE AND EMPLOYABILITY OF BRAIN INJURY SURVIVORS BY FOCUSING ON SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND COMPENSATORY STRATEGIES. SKILL TRAINING INCLUDES ADMINISTRATIVE AND KITCHEN MAINTENANCE WORK, AND ALSO HOW TO INTERACT WITH CO-WORKERS, AND TO COMPLETE TASKS. MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN A WORK UNIT VOLUNTEERING FOR TASKS THAT DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE OPERATION OF THE BRIDGELINE PLACE - FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE HIRING OF STAFF, TO ADVOCATING FOR BRAIN INJURY SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY, TO WRITING A NEWSLETTER ARTICLE OR PREPARING LUNCH. PARTICIPANTS BENEFIT FROM A COLLEGIAL, PEER RELATIONSHIP AND THROUGH THIS RELATIONSHIP, MEMBERS RECEIVE NECESSARY SUPPORT WHILE STILL MAINTAINING OWNERSHIP OVER THE PLANNING OF THEIR SERVICE THROUGH THE BRIDGELINE PLACE AND THE COURSE OF THEIR REHABILITATION.

RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM WITHIN OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM WE PROVIDE SUPPORTED LIVING IN OUR TWO HOMES IN A FAMILY-LIKE SETTING, WHEREIN PERSONS WITH BRAIN INJURIES WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE REMAIN DEPENDENT MEMBERS IN THE HOUSEHOLDS OF THEIR ORIGIN OR AS INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS LIVE TO THE GREATEST DEGREE POSSIBLE AS INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COMMUNITY. TRAINED STAFF LIVES IN WITH RESIDENTS AS FULL-TIME RESIDENTIAL CAREGIVER, FACILITATE THEIR PATH THROUGH INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-DETERMINATION TOWARD PERSONAL GROWTH AND ENGAGED CITIZENRY. STAFF RUNS HOUSEHOLDS TO CREATE THE MAXIMUM OPPORTUNITIES AND ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL NEEDS FOR RESIDENTS AND ADDRESS THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS WITH THE GOAL TO TRANSITION THEM INTO INDEPENDENT LIVING. TO ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, WE OFFER STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES, RELEVANT AND SPECIFIC SKILL TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO SET ACHIEVABLE LIFE GOALS. RESIDENTS HAVE CHOSEN TO HOLD A MONTHLY BOOK CLUB (MEMORY TRAINING), MANAGE THEIR OWN LIBRARY, AND SUGGEST OUTINGS. OUR RESIDENTS TYPICALLY HOLD A REGULAR JOB OR A REGULAR VOLUNTEER POSITION, ATTEND CLASSES AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE COMMUNITY, INTERACT SOCIALLY WITH MEMBERS OF OTHER HOUSEHOLDS IN THE BRIDGELINE COMMUNITY, TRAVEL FOR VACATIONS, PARTICIPATE IN THE GENERAL UPKEEP OF THE HOMES IN WHICH THEY LIVE, AND HELP OUT AT THE OTHER BRIDGELINE HOMES WITH VARIOUS THINGS.

CASE MANAGEMENT OUR CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICE SUPPORTS THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR THE DAY PROGRAM, THE CRITERIA AND FUNDING FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENT, OR CHOOSE NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROGRAMS. THE CASE MANAGERS PROVIDE SERVICES SUCH AS ASSESSING NEEDS OF SURVIVORS, HELPING THEM IDENTIFY GOALS, AND ASSISTING WITH APPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. THEY LINK THEM WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES, SET UP SERVICES FOR THEM, AND ACT AS A LIAISON WITH OTHER PROVIDERS. IN ADDITION TO PLANNING DISTRICT 10, THE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM EXTENDS INTO AMHERST, BUCKINGHAM, ORANGE, MADISON AND APPOMATTOX COUNTIES.

SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM THE BRIDGELINE OFFERS A GREAT VARIETY OF SERVICES TO ADULTS WITH BRAIN INJURIES WHILE THEY LIVE IN THEIR OWN APARTMENTS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO OUR HOMES. SERVICES VARY FROM PARTICIPATION IN OUTINGS, MEALS, AND ART THERAPY, TO MEDICATION OVERSIGHT, AND SHOPPING ASSISTANCE. THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS ARE ADDRESSED TO SUPPORT THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND FAMILIES ARE ASSURED THAT THEIR LOVED ONE IS SAFE AND CARED FOR.