The Brooks Brain Injury Clubhouse is a full-time day program that provides for the long-term recovery needs of individuals who have experienced an acquired neurological/brain injury.
The Brooks Brain Injury Clubhouse is the only program of its kind for people with an acquired brain injury in the state of Florida and one of only 20 programs worldwide. The clubhouse helps individuals with a brain injury regain social, physical, cognitive and vocational abilities.
The program follows the guidelines established by the International Brain Injury Clubhouse Alliance (IBICA). The clubhouse is funded in whole or in part by the City of Jacksonville through a public service grant.
The clubhouse offers a range of activities designed to help the ongoing recovery process for individuals who have experienced a brain injury by helping individuals regain social, physical, cognitive and vocational abilities.
Members can participate in a variety of activities and are also provided the opportunity to manage clubhouse operations by joining one of the work units. This helps members re-establish themselves in the community and return to work.
Activities include:
Working side-by-side with professional staff, members run every aspect of the clubhouse including meal planning and preparation, business office work unit, facilities maintenance and product production.
Each of these work units will have anywhere from five to 10 members working daily with staff and volunteers to accomplish the daily work at the clubhouse.
Responsible for management of all clerical and business functions including reception, telephone, file maintenance, intake operations, record keeping, generation of the newsletter and other general office duties as needed. This work unit is also responsible for usage and upkeep of the clubhouse business work unit computer lab and oversight of training in computer skills.
Responsible for meeting the daily nutritional needs of the clubhouse staff and members. This work group plans, shops, prepares, serves and cleans up for the daily lunch program at the clubhouse in a commercially equipped kitchen.
Responsible for overall cleaning, maintenance and minor repair of indoor facility and outdoor grounds at the clubhouse. This group is also responsible for the production of selected products that are made at the clubhouse and sold to support community outings for clubhouse members.
Membership is available to any adult, age 17 or older, who would benefit from activities to enhance social, physical, cognitive and vocational outcomes following an acquired brain injury. This includes individuals with a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury, stroke, anoxia or other acquired central nervous system dysfunctions.
Criteria for admission includes all of the following:
The program is open Monday through Friday and parallels typical working hours of 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Members may choose to participate one to five days per week, depending on their needs and goals.
A sliding fee scale offers significant discounts for members who do not have external funding and lack the financial resources to pay the full rate. Clubhouse staff will work with you to determine whether you qualify for the discounts. Workers’ compensation carriers, VA and the state vocational rehabilitation program are also potential sources of coverage, but only when members qualify for services.
The clubhouse is staffed by individuals who have advanced knowledge of the needs of people with a brain injury. Many of our staff members are encouraged to take or have taken the Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) exam. Two members of staff hold a master’s in education.
Clubhouse staff includes:
In both 2011 and 2014, the City of Jacksonville Mayor’s Disability Council recognized the Brooks Brain Injury Clubhouse for community initiative in serving Jacksonville’s disability community. In 2015, Jackson Healthcare awarded the Hospital Charitable Services Award to the clubhouse.
The core value of the Brooks Brain Injury Clubhouse is: “Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something.”
Anyone, including physicians, case managers, patients’ families, support coordinators, rehabilitation professionals or individuals themselves, can refer to the program. A physician referral is not required.
To schedule a tour, please complete the initial screening form and return it to Kathy Martin, clubhouse manager, at [email protected] or call (904) 674-6400 for additional information.
Address: 2700 University Blvd. W., Bld. B, Jacksonville, FL 32217
Phone: (904) 674-6400
The city bus stop is one block from the Clubhouse and JTA Connection will also transport door-to-door those who qualify.
Visit the Brooks Brain Injury Clubhouse location page for driving directions and more.