Happy Holidays from Odyssey House!

All the best to you and yours this holiday season!

The above image, "King Til Spring," was created by Jonathan F. Harris H., Andrew S., and Anthony R., members of the Odyssey House Art Project.

The Fall 2013 Newsletter is now available!

The Fall 2013 edition of Odyssey House News is now available! Read about our recovery month events, how our corporate partners are supporting recovery, and more. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments or on our Facebook wall. If you'd like to receive a copy in the mail, please email your contact information to info(at)odysseyhouseinc.org.

Save the date: "Home" exhibition opens on Dec. 12th

“Home,” the seventh exhibition by members of Odyssey House Art Project, opens on Thursday, December 12th. Please join us for a festive reception with great food, hot apple cider and more, while you view exciting new artwork by our clients.

Odyssey House Haven Art Gallery

Thursday, December 12, 4 - 7 pm

239 E. 121st St, New York, NY

RSVP!

This year’s show explores “Home” as a place where we reside spiritually, physically and psychologically. Developing a new vision of “Home” is central to a strong recovery. Reaching a place of security and well-being within themselves prepares our clients to complete treatment and craft a functional and socially responsible life.

Check out a sneak preview of the artwork here.

Marathon team runs for recovery

Completing the New York City marathon is no small accomplishment, especially for men and women who have been battling substance use disorders. This year’s marathon team was our largest ever: 45 Odyssey House residents, alumni, staff and supporters. In addition, more than 50 Odyssey House staff and clients cheered the runners on from the Mile 19 water station.

In the week leading up to the marathon, News 12 Bronx profiled the Odyssey House team. The segment offered a behind the scenes look into the treatment and training regimens of our runners and how running helped one of our residents beat the odds and change his life.

Odyssey House resident Timothy credits his participation in the Odyssey House marathon team with helping him through the treatment process. “I’ve been running from my problems for basically all my life and now it’s like I’m running towards a solution,” he said.

Congratulations to everyone who completed the 2013 Marathon and a big thank you to those of you who contributed to John Tavolacci’s fundraising campaign and helped him reach his goal!

Run for Your Life celebrates recovery for eighth consecutive year

More than 1,000 people came out to Icahn Stadium on September 28th to show their support for men and women in treatment for substance use and mental health disorders at the 8th Annual Run for Your Life 5K Run & Recovery Walk. WPIX reporter Jay Dow emceed the event, which also featured fitness competitions, zumba lessons, children’s races and activities, and the presentation of the CASAC of the Year Award to Milton Slaughter, coordinator of residential admissions at Odyssey House.

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, though unable to attend, sent a message of support: “For nearly 50 years, Odyssey House has provided invaluable support to those suffering from mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and HIV/AIDS by providing therapy and health services, housing, vocational training, and more. As people from across the five boroughs come together to recognize National Recovery Month, we applaud Odyssey House and all those associated with it for their unwavering dedication to individuals and families in need, and together, we look forward to building a stronger, healthier future for us all.”

Participants included clients from other NYC-based treatment agencies, friends and family of people in recovery, as well as representatives from the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and our corporate partners. Thank you to everyone for making Run for Your Life such a successful event!

Celebrate recovery month on Saturday!

The Odyssey House Run for Your Life 5K Run & Recovery Walk is only 4 days away! Register today and show your support for individuals and families in recovery. 

Run for Your Life is more than just a race. Join us for a variety of family-friendly activities: 

• Zumba demonstrations 
• Children's races & games 
• Wellness booth and more! 

Register Now!

I can't make it but would like to support recovery. 

Run for Your Life is a National Recovery Month event in support of men and women in recovery from substance use disorders. This event increases awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders, and promotes the message that behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover. 

This year's Recovery Month theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Together on Pathways to Wellness," emphasizes that there are many unique ways people can prevent behavioral health issues, seek treatment, and sustain recovery. The theme also highlights the importance of mental, physical, and emotional well-being, as well as the value of family, friends, and community members throughout the recovery journey. 

Thank you for supporting recovery. We look forward to seeing you there!

Odyssey House employee named CASAC of the Year

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) has named Milton Slaughter, coordinator of residential admissions at Odyssey House, CASAC (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor) of the Year.

As coordinator of residential admissions, Mr. Slaughter conducts intake interviews, new patient orientations and comprehensive psychosocial assessments. He often engages in intensive case management activities, gathering information from and following up with a range of collateral service providers both during and after intake, and assures that patients’ needs are addressed through well-coordinated, multi-disciplinary interventions.

Mr. Slaughter first entered Odyssey House as a client in 1992. He took full advantage of his time at the Leadership Center, earning his GED and participating in vocational training programs. Two years after completing treatment, Mr. Slaughter returned as an employee, working his way up from a food service worker at the Harbor and counselor at the Leadership Center to progressively responsible positions in the Admissions department. In 2005, he received his CASAC.

Each September in observance of National Recovery Month, OASAS acknowledges addictions professionals across New York State who provide exceptional services ranging from chemical dependence prevention, treatment and recovery, to problem gambling services for persons and communities in need. This marks the fourth consecutive, and sixth overall, Addictions Professional Award given to an Odyssey House employee.

Doing well by doing good: A day of service at Odyssey House

On July 26^th, approximately 50 staff members from international branding firm Siegel+Gale joined Odyssey House to paint a mural and the playrooms at the Manor Family Center. The images and mural painted by Siegel+Gale bring a touch of whimsy to the playrooms and create a relaxing space for the facility’s residents.

Siegel+Gale co-CEO David Srere said the idea for the day of service is rooted in the heritage of the company: doing well by doing good. He said, “This kind of day, when you’re using your skills, passions and talents to contribute to something that is really important and larger than any one of us, is a critical, fundamental underpinning of what Siegel+Gale is all about.”

When considering how they could contribute to Odyssey House, Howard Belk, co-CEO of Siegel+Gale, said that art seemed like a natural fit. “One of the tools that Odyssey House uses to help their clients overcome their challenges is art,” said Mr. Belk. “So we went to art because we’d seen the power of it already. And we’ve created these fun and light-hearted murals to lift the spirits of the residents here.”

Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet discussed the significance of the day of service by recognizing the value of partnerships. “This kind of corporate connection validates the work we do,” Dr. Provet said. “It gives our staff and clients a belief that they are not alone, that others care for the struggle they’ve gone through and the commitment they’re making by being at Odyssey House, and so we thank Siegel+Gale enormously for being there for our clients, their families, and for our entire organization.”

Odyssey House first connected with Siegel+Gale three years ago when they helped us refresh our visual identity with a vibrant, award-winning logo. Since then, Justin Peters, global executive creative director at Siegel+Gale, who led the logo design project, joined the Odyssey House Boards of Trustees and hosted the 10^th anniversary reception for the Odyssey House Art Project. 

See all the photos from the day on our Flickr page.

Our 2012 Annual Report is now available

Commitment to a Cause

Helping people with substance use disorders and mental health challenges rebuild their lives requires a special kind of commitment. It’s a commitment that demands resiliency, gives hope, rewards effort, and embraces challenges. It’s the kind of commitment that puts people first and expects the best from everyone.

By setting a standard of commitment, OdysseyHouse has created a culture of achievement and expertise that stimulates personal growth and encourages resourcefulness. This year's annual report explores how Odyssey House is maintaining high treatment standards - built on evidence-based practices and decades of clinical experience - in the face of a changing environment.

Odyssey House logo wins award

We are pleased to announce that global strategic branding firm Siegel+Gale has received a 2013 REBRAND 100 Distinction Award for its development of the new Odyssey House logo. The REBRAND Awards are considered one of the most prestigious in the worldwide branding industry.

Siegel+Gale helped us explore new ways to communicate our diverse programs and services in a fresh and engaging way. Led by Justin Peters, global executive creative director, the design team developed a compelling new logo that comes in five brilliant colors: yellow, blue, green, orange, and purple. 

Unveiled in September 2010, the new Odyssey House logo and tagline - "Where recovery lives" - capture the evolution of the institution from a single service treatment provider to a social services organization that also includes mental health, medical, dental, educational and vocational, and housing services in our portfolio.

Click here to see the evolution of our logo.

Working in Recovery: How do we know what works? We ask questions

By Gary Harmon, Ph.D.
Vice President, Director of Research & Grants

As the substance use disorder field continues to evolve and move closer to a medical model, Odyssey House is poised to remain a leader.  The ability of the agency to retain the essential elements of treatment from its roots over 45 years ago, combined with cutting-edge and new research-supported treatment, has led to a model that we know works. 

Personally, I take great satisfaction in the quality of the services we provide and the excellent treatment outcomes that are produced.  Since my role often involves viewing our clients, programs, and services as data on a computer screen, I always make sure to remember that every number represents a person; someone who came to Odyssey House in need of help; someone with a dream or hope of a better life.  Keeping that important principle in mind helps to ensure that I never stop asking that very important question:  “How do we know what we do works?” 

Entering into the substance use disorder field six years ago, I was eager to apply my background in public health to one of the greatest problems facing our society.  I have worked with disadvantaged and disenfranchised populations for my entire career but this field presented an entirely new set of challenges and barriers.  It was clear from the start that our clients and residents were not only battling with drugs and alcohol, but most were also beset with poverty, trauma, mental illness and homelessness.  One of the reasons that I was attracted to Odyssey House was the organization’s approach to research and data.  Employing a full-time director of research and grants signaled to me that the agency had a value for exploring what was most effective for our clients and residents.  At that time, the agency had begun to implement several Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs), and was participating in a National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trial Network research study. 

The acceptance of new, data-driven interventions shows that Odyssey House is staying ahead of the field in terms of best practices and the most effective treatment services, and the commitment to research and implementation of EBPs has only grown. We now employ more than 12 different data-driven interventions throughout the agency, and we have recently participated in several clinical trials with both New York University and Columbia University. As an evaluator on several grant projects supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, I have seen from the data that the programs we implement are effective.

The first questions I asked of my colleagues upon entering the field was, “What do we do?” and “How do we know what we do works?” Although simple questions, it was clear to me that the answers were much more complex and the results more rewarding.

Working in Recovery is an occasional series of guest blog posts by Odyssey House clinical, administrative, and research experts.

A time when marijuana is legal

In response to Bill Keller's column, "How to Legalize Pot," in The New York Times, Dr. Peter Provet comments on the implications of legalizing marijuana.

A Time When Marijuana is Legal

To the Editor:

Bill Keller suggests that legalization of marijuana is a foregone conclusion. The voters in Washington State and Colorado have proposed that one way out of an intransigent public health problem, costly law enforcement, spiraling prison costs and reduced tax revenues is to legalize a known addictive substance.

It is wishful thinking, however, to believe that a government-regulated marijuana marketplace will raise enough money to offset the harm that today’s highly potent drug inflicts on communities across America.

The only chance we have to get ahead of the coming epidemic is by adequately financing treatment programs so the infrastructure of marijuana production, distribution and retail is matched by broad-based community services.

PETER PROVET
President and Chief Executive
Odyssey House

Working in Recovery: Running residential programs

Comprehensive treatment with wraparound medical, educational, vocational, and housing supports

By Justin Mitchell, Vice President & Director of Adult Residential Services

From our humble beginnings of 17 individuals coming together to form a community focused on living drug free, Odyssey House has developed into a multi-service entity providing a safe haven for the neediest New Yorkers. From the newborn child to the elderly man or woman, Odyssey House is equipped to meet the specific needs of a wide range of clientele struggling with substance use disorders, mental illness and homelessness.

Today’s Odyssey House has adopted an increased focus on evidence-based services, including parenting and trauma interventions; licensed early educational services such as Early Head Start; adult basic education; on-site medical and dental clinics; and an ever-expanding supportive housing portfolio. 

I joined Odyssey House in 2002 as a rehabilitation counselor with the goal of assisting clients in developing the skills necessary to reintegrate into their community and become productive members of society. Over the past 10 years I have had the chance to work in various positions and departments within Odyssey House, providing me with a unique opportunity to affect change on a client, a staff, and an organizational level.

Today, I am responsible for the residential treatment programs that are core to Odyssey House’s 46 year history. It is my job to ensure that the 500 adults and children we serve every day receive the best quality treatment; maintain compliance with various city, state and federal regulations; and develop methods to enhance our treatment programs to meet the changing needs of our clientele. 

During my years at Odyssey House, I have learned that the clients most successful at staying clean are the ones who are most committed to the treatment process. Odyssey House, at its foundation, remains a self-help program that encourages individuals to maximize their time in treatment to address a wide range of social, physical and spiritual needs. I expect, and encourage, clients to take an active role in their recovery, creating individualized treatment goals that include abstinence from drugs and alcohol, educational and vocational milestones, employment, financial self-sufficiency, and independent housing.  

But my job at Odyssey House is not merely an administrative one. I have a central belief that our role as models for right living can have the greatest impact on clients. As staff we are here to inspire hope in our clients: hope that by making a commitment to honest reflection and meaningful change, one can regain control and redirect the path of their lives. By demonstrating patience, positive communication skills, a strong work ethic, and genuine care and concern, we provide an example of how to be good family members, parents and citizens. Every day, we demonstrate how to give back to our community. 

In treatment, every day provides a new opportunity to be successful. As we continue to think about how long-term residential treatment fits into a changing health care environment, it is important to remember that for our clients, success may come slowly and can take many forms. For our young adults it may be achieving their GEDs; for clients struggling with mental illness it can mean the independence of community-based housing; for our mothers it can mean family reunification; and for our elderly it can be gaining a sense of integrity as they recover from a lifelong addiction.  

Working in Recovery is an occasional series of guest blog posts by Odyssey House clinical, administrative, and research experts.

Download our new brochures!

Learn more about Odyssey House's programs and services in our new brochures. You can download them from our Admissions page or email us at admissions@odysseyhouseinc.org to order a hard copy set. Give us your feedback in the comments or on our Facebook page.

An inspiring evening with Cirque du Soleil

Parents and children in our Family Center were treated to a special night recently – a performance of Totem, Cirque du Soleil’s latest show. With tickets generously donated by Cirque du Soleil and Tickets for Kids Charities, our clients had a night they’ll never forget.

Residents described the experience as exciting, beautiful, awesome, fantastic, and inspiring. Rosanna said she will never forget this experience and “she felt like a kid again.” Jenine said, “It was such a beautiful love story.” Harold commented on the fluidity of the show: “The speed at which the acts were performed was superb!”

The residents also saw ways they could incorporate the themes of the show into their lives. Shawn saw unity among different races, which reminded her that “all men are equal.” Rosanna said, “It shows me that I can do anything I put my mind to. I know if I work hard in school and do my studies, I’m going to get my GED!” Andres was inspired by the dedication of the performers, and it strengthened his dedication to his recovery.

At Odyssey House, we take care to offer our residents a variety of cultural, fitness, and recreational activities as part of our holistic approach to treatment. Such activities give residents the opportunity to have positive sober experiences while in treatment and enhance their educational and social experiences. Thank you to Cirque du Soleil and Tickets for Kids Charities for giving our residents an unforgettable experience!

Celebrating “Women with a Vision”

Every March, Janice Glenn-Slaughter, director of community housing at Odyssey House, commemorates Women's History Month with a special event that is aimed at boosting self-esteem and encouraging female bonding. It's an important event here as many of the women in our programs are coping with low self-esteem and a history of domestic violence or sexual abuse.

“My goal is to give the women in our programs a day to celebrate their achievements,” Ms. Glenn-Slaughter said. “They have been through so much in their lives, and by looking back at the challenges they faced before coming into treatment, they are able to fully appreciate and be proud of their accomplishments.”

This year marks the fifth year Ms. Glenn-Slaughter has organized a women’s day event and the program included musical performances, two inspirational guest speakers from Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS) and poetry readings by tenants from our housing residences. Many of the speakers, such as Valerie F., regained custody of their children while in treatment and shared their stories of reunification. Valerie said, “At Odyssey House, I learned how to be accepting of myself and how to be a loving parent.”

At the end of the program, the "Woman of the Year" award was presented to Denise P., an Odyssey House alumna, for her dedication to her peers. After completing treatment at the MABON and Outpatient Services, Denise became one of the first mentees to enroll in OH ROCS. She is now president of the OH ROCS Council and continues to mentor others in early recovery. 

Denise P. (center) with Odyssey House housing staff.

New program to enhance adolescent treatment in the Bronx

Odyssey House Outpatient Services is introducing a new evidence-based program for adolescent boys (12-17 years) with substance use disorders. Called the Seven Challenges, the program will be incorporated into our existing BUY-In program, which was recently awarded a three-year, $1.3 million contract by the NYS Office of Alcoholism & SubstanceAbuse Services (OASAS).

The Seven Challenges program is designed to motivate a decision and commitment to change – and to support success in implementing the desired changes. The program helps young adults address their drug problems as well as their co-occurring life skill deficits, situational problems, and psychological problems.

Odyssey House kicked off the program with a community meeting to introduce the program to referral sources. Attendees included representatives from OASAS, the Bronx Borough President’s office, Bronx Futures, and Bronx Community Services.

Seven Challenges is intended to avoid power struggles between the client and counselor, instead focusing on encouraging honesty. Richard Barr, director of training and support for Seven Challenges, said, “It is an empowering model – designed to help adolescents make thoughtful decisions: internally motivated and committed. We want clients to take charge of their own lives.”

Robert Anderson, director of adolescent, outpatient and admissions services for Odyssey House, said, “We are very excited about this opportunity to implement yet another evidence-based practice of the quality that Seven Challenges exhibits. The training was very valuable and we look forward to providing to great services to the youth we serve.”

Finding effective addiction treatment

“Of the 23.5 million teenagers and adults addicted to alcohol or drugs, only about 1 in 10 get treatment, which too often fails to keep them drug-free. Many of these programs fail to use proven methods to deal with the factors that underlie addiction and set off relapse.” 
Effective Addiction Treatment, February 4, 2013

“Treatment is not the end, it’s the beginning.”
Picking Addiction Help, February 11, 2013

Finding effective addiction treatment is the first step on the road to a healthy recovery.  At Odyssey House we understand that addiction is a chronic relapsing disease; recovery is an ongoing, lifelong process; and treatment must address both drug abuse and its accompanying problems (e.g., medical, legal, social) to be effective. These are principles Odyssey House has built its programs and services around for more than 45 years.

·         “Look for programs using research-validated techniques.”

A variety of evidence-based practices (EBPs) forms the basis of substance abuse treatment at Odyssey House. Many of these practices – including Seeking Safety, Family Functional Therapy, the Adolescent Reinforcement Approach, Recovery Coaching, Motivational Incentives/Contingency Management, and Nurturing Parenting Program – were initially implemented through grant funding and remain integrated into our programs even after grant funding has ended.

·         “Get a thorough assessment.”

Odyssey House agrees that a proper, thorough assessment is key to understanding which level of care is most appropriate for the individual.  As part of the assessment, admissions counselors determine what other co-occurring mental health, medical, and family issues exist to ascertain an appropriate service match.  Odyssey House employs social workers, psychiatrists and medical doctors to assist with any issues that may be identified during the assessment process. 

·         “Treatment should be individualized.”

We offer specialized residential and outpatient programs for a variety of populations, including mothers with children, seniors, and adolescents. Each individual who enters Odyssey House for treatment receives an individualized treatment plan tailored to fit his or her needs.

·         “You should be treated by a licensed addiction counselor.”

All direct care staff at Odyssey House are licensed and/or credentialed in addiction counseling.

·         “Find out if you will receive therapy for any underlying condition.”

Odyssey House knows that to be effective, treatment must address not only an individual’s drug abuse, but also any accompanying physical, psychological, social, family, and vocational problems. That is why we offer onsite medical and dental clinics, vocational and educational services, housing assistance and aftercare planning to ensure that our clients get the best possible treatment and are equipped to lead productive and fulfilling drug-free lives after they leave our care.

·         “Does the program offer aftercare and follow-up services?”

Odyssey House offers a continuum of care that assists people in recovery as they transition back into the community. Ongoing supportive services, such as housing, employment and legal assistance, begin before a client leaves residential treatment and are continued in outpatient services.

Odyssey House Recovery Oriented Care System (OH ROCS), based at our outpatient clinic in the Bronx, offers individualized, self-directed and integrated recovery support services to those recovering from substance use disorders through community-based peer mentoring and peer-to-peer recovery support and activities.

Additional considerations

·         Addressing legal concerns

Our residents come from all walks of life within our community, including those incarcerated for non-violent crimes directly related to their substance abuse issues. Within the Odyssey House Admissions Department, we have court liaisons who act as advocates for our residents; attend court proceedings to provide support; work with judges, district attorneys and defense attorneys to facilitate the clients' legal matters and work towards a positive outcome; and assist our clients in identifying available resources for various ancillary legal actions.

We also run the Edgecombe Residential Treatment Program, a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program designed to reduce the risk of re-incarceration. It is a collaborative effort by Odyssey House, NYS Division of Parole, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, and NYS Department of Correctional Services.

·         Housing assistance

We help find permanent, independent housing for formerly homeless men and women with mental and physical disabilities; supervised housing for families re-entering society; and housing assistance for formerly homeless persons enrolled in our programs. All housing programs offer counseling, referral and resident advocacy and are designed to support the Odyssey House dedication to continuity of care and aftercare services.

·         Child care services

At the Odyssey House Family Centers of Excellence, mothers and fathers do not need to choose between caring for their children and seeking the treatment they need. The Family Centers are comprehensive treatment programs that provide a safe, supportive residential community for young families where the emphasis is on beginning new drug-free lives and creating a nurturing home. Clients address the problems that have led them to drugs and prevented them from being responsible parents, while their children take part in daycare and preschool programs that help them develop intellectual and social skills.

Odyssey House wins grant to expand adolescent outpatient services

The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) announced Odyssey House as the downstate recipient of a three-year, federally funded grant to expand adolescent services. Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet said: "We are proud to fulfill our mission of treating vulnerable populations of adolescents with substance use disorders and their families by expanding our Bronx-based outpatient programs, and are grateful to NYS OASAS and SAMHSA for their support in helping to meet the needs of a community we are dedicated to serving."

In selecting Odyssey House, Commissioner Gonzalez-Sanchez, commented on the high needs of the adolescents in our Bronx outpatient program and their involvement in "multiple systems that include juvenile justice, child welfare, or mental health." 

For more information, please read the OASAS press release here.

Marijuana use is unsafe

Roni Caryn Rabin’s article on the health effects of marijuana use (“Legalizing of Marijuana Raises Health Concerns,” New York Times, Jan. 7) reflects the confusion of the messaging surrounding the drug as it morphs from a criminal justice issue and into a public health one. 

Encouraging teens to hold off on trying marijuana until they’re older, in lieu of teaching them that marijuana is dangerous, is irresponsible. Teenagers and young adults need stronger guidance. Effective public health initiatives, such as smoking cessation, require simple, clear messages that are consistent, repeated often, and actionable – there is no room for nuance. The message should be clear: marijuana use is unsafe.

The Winter 2013 newsletter is now available

The Winter 2013 edition of Odyssey House News is now available online! Read about our recovery month events, Hurricane Sandy volunteer efforts, board leadership changes and more. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments or on our Facebook wall. If you'd like to receive a copy in the mail, please email your contact information to info@odysseyhouseinc.org.