Call to action: Support Medicaid coverage for substance abuse treatment

Medicaid coverage of most substance abuse treatment programs, including Odyssey House, is in danger thanks to the IMD exclusion. This exclusion bars Medicaid from paying for community-based residential treatment at facilities of 16 beds or more. While the IMD exclusion originated in the 1960s as a means of ending the warehousing of patients in large psychiatric hospitals, today it is a significant barrier to providing care for our most vulnerable citizens.

After intensive and sustained advocacy by Treatment Communities of America, in early January Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL) is prepared to introduce legislation that would reform the IMD exclusion to allow for Medicaid reimbursement of residential treatment for substance use disorders (SUD). 

This is a significant milestone but the work is not done. We now need to build support and momentum for the effort by securing cosponsors for Congressman Hastings’ legislation.

Please take a few minutes to call your Member of the House of Representatives to urge them to cosponsor Congressman Hastings’ IMD exclusion reform legislation that will be introduced in January.

You can reach your Representatives via the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. If you’re not sure who your Representative is, you can search by zip code here.

In the midst of the current opioid crisis, there is a huge shortage of treatment beds and many barriers to accessing treatment.  We can end one of those barriers by supporting the Hastings bill. 

THANK YOU!

#GiveHope on #GivingTuesday

Today is the day! It's the day that you can make a big impact on Odyssey House and on the mothers and children in our programs.  With your help, we'll raise funds to provide welcome baskets to new mothers entering our Manor Family Center, filled with all the supplies a new mother needs, as well as winter coats and accessories for the children in our programs. If you make a gift online TODAY, we will earn matching funds from our partner, Network for Good - making your support go even further. How can you be part of it? Here are a few simple ideas: Consider making a gift on #GivingTuesday. Help us get the word out on social media, using @OdysseyHouseNY and the hashtag #GivingTuesday. Take photos to post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and share your support for Odyssey House. Do something kind for another person. Today's the day to #givehope to mothers working to rebuild their lives at Odyssey House.

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Holiday Toy & Book Drive!

With the holidays approaching, our thoughts turn to the families in our care, including the many infants, toddlers, and preschoolers living with their parents in residential treatment.

Please join us in making a difference in a child’s life this season by contributing to a toy and book drive benefiting the children in our programs.

Holidays are a difficult time for families in recovery. Your support makes a big difference in the lives of parents who are working to rebuild their lives, and the small children whose developmental needs are also being served. Your gifts will be distributed at our annual Odyssey House Family Center holiday party on December 15th, bringing families together in a healthy, nurturing way to celebrate the spirit of generosity and sharing.

We welcome your donation of new, unwrapped toys and books for young children up to age 7. We are asking that all donations and/or contributions be submitted to the Odyssey House Family Center (219 East 121st Street), to the attention of Ms. Aries Young, Deputy Director of Early Educational Services, by Friday, December 11th. Or to schedule a pick-up, please contact Carolyn Abrams at cabrams@odysseyhouseinc.org or 212-361-1660.

Renowned Mexican choir brings song & dance to the Manor

Last month, Odyssey House hosted a performance by the Mexican student choir Estudiantina La Salle with special guest, renowned tenor Mauricio Trejo, at our Manor Family Center. The performers, 15 men and two women dressed in traditional costumes, played a mixture Mexican folk songs, pop tunes, and love songs. 

The performers were just as moved by the experience as the clients were. Mr. Trejo, right, an alumnus of the Estudiantina La Salle choir, said, “My soul was happy, my heart uplifted, and the image that will remain is all the people at the house becoming one.” 

Estudiantina La Salle is acclaimed for their exciting performances in Mexico, the United States, Japan, and Europe. In celebration of the choir’s 50th anniversary and Mexican Independence Day, they traveled to the United States to perform in New York City and Philadelphia. 

The clients and staff in attendance participated enthusiastically, singing and clapping at their seats, and dancing with the performers. 

The concert was arranged by Pro Musicis, an organization that brings musicians from around the world to perform in prisons, hospitals, centers for the disabled, substance abuse treatment facilities, assisted living units, and homeless shelters—for audiences who seldom, if ever, have the chance to hear live classical music.

Going the distance

Odyssey House Lafayette Avenue client Ashley's marathon journey was profiled by News 12's Jessica Cunnington. Check out the fantastic clip and remember to support the Odyssey House Marathon Team on Sunday, November 1st!