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INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN OUR RESEARCH OR OTHER PROGRAMS?
Below are descriptions of our current projects that are enrolling participants. To get additional information on any of these projects, please call the identified contact person listed.
Efficacy of a Walking Program to Decrease Fatigue and Other Secondary Conditions in Persons with TBI
What to expect during the Walking and Nutrition Program:
The Purpose of this Study:
This study looks at the impact of a home-based walking program on fatigue, depression, sleep problems, cognitive functions, and general health.
- Individual with a traumatic brain injury that occurred at least six months ago
- At least 18 years of age
- Working knowledge of either English or Spanish
- Not using a wheelchair
- Not participating in a physical therapy program
- No medical condition that would stop participation in a walking program
- Live within 100
miles of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
What to expect during the Walking and Nutrition Program: - Phone screening
- Physical therapy assessment
- Participation in a home-based 12-week Walking Program and a 12-week Nutrition Program
- 12 weeks after you complete both program you will be assessed one last time
- The total amount of time that you will be involved in this study will be about 9 months
Compensation:
You will receive $25 for each assessment completed. If you complete all 4 assessments, you will receive a total of $100.
Sponsor:
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, US Dept of Education
Who do I contact if I'm interested in participating or want more information:
Laura Jamison
(800) 352-1956 or (408)793-6439
Email: laura.jamison@hhs.co.santa-clara.ca.us
Internet Users with Traumatic Brain Injury or Multiple Sclerosis Wanted
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York have developed HealthOrganizer.org, a confidential “one stop” health management site for people with memory difficulties and other thinking problems related to traumatic brain injury or multiple sclerosis. You can use this no cost website to
- Maintain your own medical history
- Track your medications
- Track your health care providers
- Keep a list of problems to discuss with your doctors
- Get reminders of medical appointments, medication refills, etc.
- Get information about brain injury and multiple sclerosis
- Get health tips
If you are a person with traumatic brain injury or multiple sclerosis and have regular access to the internet, you may be interested in using this website. It will not cost you anything to use the website. The benefits of the website are currently being evaluated, and all users must agree to allow the researchers to monitor how and when they use the website. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
If you wish to, you can also complete an interview before using the site and after you have used it for a few months; you will be reimbursed for your time.
More information is available at www.HealthOrganizer.org, or you may call 1-866- 622-1375
(GCO #03-0513 project 2 approved through 9/27/2007)
The Psychological and Physiological Aspects of Menopause in Women with Spinal Cord Injuries
What is the study about:
The study is being done to examine the menopausal differences that spinal cord injured women experience versus menopause symptoms that non-injured women experience. A third control group, of spinal cord injured men, will be included in the study to help distinguish between conditions that are directly caused by menopause and therefore specific to women and aging only and not the spinal cord injury. The study will consist of each participant filling out a questionnaire at various timeframes in the study (baseline, 9 months, 18 months and 27 months) regarding their physical and emotional status. The women will also need to fill out a menstrual diary card to keep track of their menstruation cycle, if they are menstruating.
Who is sponsoring this study:
The Rehabilitation Research Center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in conjunction with two collaborating centers: the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Craig Hospital in Englewood Colorado.
What happens during this study:
The study is currently enrolling participants now for the duration of the 3 years in the study. The Research Assistant will do a brief screening over the phone and following approval, the participant would need to sign a consent form. Then, the surveys would be mailed to the participant’s home, with a pre-addressed stamped envelope to mail back the completed survey to the Rehabilitation Research Center. It is anticipated that the surveys will take 60 minutes to complete each time.What do I get for completing each step:
Following the Rehabilitation Research Center’s receipt of your completed survey, we will mail out to you either a $25 check or a $25 gift certificate to Starbucks or Blockbuster. Since there are a total of four surveys to complete, the total earned could be $100. By participating in the study, you will also help health professionals and researchers understand spinal cord injuries and menopause better and hopefully, create better health and treatment plans for the populations being studied.
Who is eligible to participate:
You must be either a woman with a spinal cord injury, a man with a spinal cord injury or a woman with no spinal cord injury; however to qualify every participant must be between the ages of 45-60.
You must be English speaking and English literate.
You must not have a current or past severe psychiatric illness.
You must not currently be using illegal drugs.
You must be a non-smoker.
You must not be taking hormone/testosterone replacement therapy.
You must be in “natural menopause” (i.e. no hysterectomy).
If you have a spinal cord injury and you are interested in participating, you must also fit the following criteria:
¸ Have an injury level between C6-T12 and ASIA A or B
¸ Be non-ambulatory
¸ Minimum 36 months post-injury
¸ Using either manual or power wheelchair
Who do I contact if I'm interested in participating or want more information:
Kim Emley
(800) 352-1956 or (408)885-2383
Email: kimberly.emley@hhs.co.santa-clara.ca.us
Ready, Set, Get... "Back on Track...To Success"
A Community Based Mentoring Program
The “Back on Track...To Success” mentoring program is focused on helping teens and young adults with disabilities to successfully get a job or go to college. We are currently inviting people 16-26 years of age, who have a disability and are interested in getting a job or enrolling in college/university, to be matched with a mentor.
A mentor is someone who may have had similar experiences and may assist you in achieving your goals. The mentors will be trained to help you by sharing, listening, providing information on local resources and support. Also, as part of the program there will be a vocational rehabilitation counselor and rehabilitation psychologist for any extra needed support.
Here are some points you should know about the program:
• To participate as a mentee in this program, an individual must be between 16-26 years of age, with a disability or has experienced an injury, and has a desire to be employed or enroll in college/university.
• Participants should be very interested in getting a job or going to college
• Program is free to all participants, including program related assistance from the program Vocational Counselor and Rehabilitation Psychologist
• Mentoring relationships are expected to last about one year
Interested in participating in this program? See links to the brochure & application “participant profile form”
For further information please contact the “Back on Track...To Success” Community-based Mentoring Program at (408) 885-2397 or email Robert.Medel@hhs.co.santa-clara.ca.us.
Mentee (Participant) Brochure (PDF format, 436K)
Mentee (Participant) Profile Form (Word format, 52K)
Be a Mentor and Help Others Get "Back on Track...To Success"
The “Back on Track...To Success” Community-Based Mentoring Program is currently recruiting new mentors.
Volunteer Mentor Position Summary:
The “Back on Track...To Success” Community-Based Mentoring Program is designed for mentors to develop a lasting relationship with their mentee and assist their mentee in succeeding in his/her life goals especially educational and career goals. Each mentor is matched with a youth in their County who has an acquired disability, age 16-26, and needs additional educational assistance and emotional support.
Youth Served:
Most of the youth have been in inpatient rehabilitation for TBI or SCI at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Youth are invited to participate based on their educational and career goals, desire to have a mentor, and qualifying disability
Mentor Responsibilities:
Meet (in person, call, or email) with mentee weekly. Maintain weekly contact with your mentee and the Program Coordinator.
Compensation for Mentors:
$100per month stipend to help mentor with the cost associated with mentoring, such as phone bills, gas, etc.
Time Commitment:
2 hours a week for a minimum 12 month period
Preferred Qualifications:
Personal Experience with SCI/TBI or other acquired disability is highly desirable; Work experience highly desirable, Post Secondary Education Experience highly desirable. Able to make a long term commitment; Knowledge of the high school and college and vocational system for individuals with disabilities including the financial aid process, SSI; Excellent Communication Skills; Experience working with diverse communities; Ability to be open-minded and understanding of issues relating to teens young adults and disability communities
Required Training:
Mentoring 101
Essential for Mentors, including how to be a mentor, building the “helping relationship”
Vocational and Educational issues for Mentors
Screening Process:
Mentor profile form (Application), Interview, Orientation, Criminal Background Check, and three references
Locations: Santa Clara County, Alameda, Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Stanislaus
Thank you for considering becoming a mentor!
If you are interested in becoming a mentor please fill out our online Mentor Profile Form at and either mail or e-mail it to us with your current resume. For further information please contact the “Back on Track...To Success” Community-based Mentoring Program at (408) 885-2397 or email Robert.Medel@hhs.co.santa-clara.ca.us.
Mentor Brochure (PDF format, 444K)
Mentor Profile Form (Word format, 40K)
Copyright © 2006 Rehabilitation Research Center at SCVMC