Social Work Department
The Social Work Department at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center plays a vital role in addressing the social, emotional and economic factors that impact Rancho's patients who have experienced disabling illnesses and injuries.
Services provided
Social Workers have been key-members of Rancho's rehabilitation team since 1933. Success in social services rehabilitation is determined by the degree to which the individual is able to function in his/her environment post injury. Success also depends on the degree to which the environment can be adjusted to functionally suit the individual. Social Workers help patients transition from the hospital setting to home to assume their responsibilities within the community and may address the following individual needs:
- the patient's adjustment to their disability
- the patient's adjustment to hospitalization
- facilitating the discharge and placement process
- referring the patient to appropriate community resources
- assessing the patient's academic needs
- addressing social interaction
- offering patient and family education
- offering solutions to manage stress
- offering solutions to housing and living arrangements
Treatment modalities are structured to maximize patient benefit. The patient's diagnosis, support system and abilities determine whether individual counseling, family therapy and/or group treatment are conducted.
Hospital discharge
Social Workers determine the discharge destination with the patient and family and collaborate with the case manager and interdisciplinary rehab team in the coordination of discharge related activities. The social worker serves as the patient's liaison, connecting them to appropriate community resources and social service agencies, such as:- In-home Supportive Services
- Adult Day Health
- Social Security
- Centers for Independent Living
- Housing Authority
- Support Groups
- Regional Center
- Substance Abuse Center
- Department of Public Social Services
- Victims of Violent Crimes
- School District
The social work staff
Social Workers at Rancho are specifically trained in assisting patients with Spinal Cord Injury, Brain Injury, Stroke, and Neurologic Disorders. Social Workers at Rancho have a master's degrees in social work. Bilingual translation services are available upon request.
For more information contact
The Social Work Department
Tel: (562) 401-7867
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m (Monday through Friday)