Bronx program is NYC's first publicly-funded all-girls treatment center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(New York, NY - March 20, 2007) - In a new approach to treating troubled teen girls, Odyssey House is opening an innovative 16-bed treatment center for girls with substance abuse and related problems, such as emotional or behavioral disorders. The new center is located in a high-service need area of New York City - the Hunts Point Section of the South Bronx.

State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen Carpenter-Palumbo joined Odyssey House board members, community leaders, family and friends of the teens, and representatives from all of Odyssey House's programs for a special opening day celebration on Wednesday, March 28th.

Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo said, "Governor Spitzer and I believe that everyone in New York State should be provided with a solid foundation in life, and at Odyssey House's Lafayette Avenue program, these young women are being given the tools to succeed in becoming self-sufficient, independent members of society.  This is an innovative program that OASAS is enormously proud to support.  During the course of their treatment, these young women are receiving an education, not just in school but in life.  Most importantly, they are building a foundation for a better future for themselves, their families and their loved ones."

The development of a residential program for girls only is in line with a growing body of research looking into the differences in how and why men and women abuse drugs, and the efficacy of gender-specific treatment (see attached)..

Findings from these studies indicate that adolescent girls who smoke, drink or take drugs are at a higher risk of depression, addiction and emotional and educational stagnation.  And because substance abuse is often accompanied by risky sexual behavior, they are more likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease or become pregnant.

Innovative treatment

Dr. Peter Provet, president of Odyssey House, said the creation of a "small, gender specific service, with a high staff to client ratio provides teen girls with the individualized support, treatment, and attention they need to grow into healthy young women."

One of the innovative treatment approaches Odyssey House is adopting at the center is capitalizing on the power of positive reinforcement techniques.  With the support of a private foundation grant, Odyssey House is able to provide each girl who completes treatment (9-12 months of residential treatment including vocational and educational training) with her own laptop computer as a graduation gift to help her future educational and vocational endeavors. 

Using technology as a treatment aide gives adolescent girls:

• access to the world of computers and the internet to make them more competitive in their school work;
• marketable job skills; and
• an incentive to remain and fully engage in the treatment process.

Residents also have access to Odyssey House's agency-wide psychiatric, primary medical care and dental services, vocational training, housing assistance, and recreational/sports programs.  The treatment regimen is based on the Therapeutic Community (TC) model enhanced with specialized services that address the developmental, psychological, and educational needs of adolescent girls.

Partnering with OASAS

Odyssey House built the treatment center with a grant from New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) that called for increased resources for intensive, residential treatment services for adolescent drug abusers with related emotional and behavioral problems.  The purpose-built, three-story building houses dormitory-style bedrooms with shared bathrooms and common areas, a kitchen and dining room, counselors offices, multi-purpose classroom and group meeting room, and an exercise gym.  Residents also have access to a private courtyard and small garden at the rear of the building.

Staffing for the 24-hour, seven day-a week program includes full-time counselors (including a program director), family therapist/social worker, kitchen, maintenance, and security personnel, and a full-time teacher funded by New York City Board of Education, Off-Site Education Services.

Being a good neighbor

The brick-faced building is situated in the middle of a mixed-use residential block near city parks, schools, and other services.  Odyssey House is an active member of the local community and enjoys support from community leaders who have welcomed this new program and our other Bronx-based services which include an outpatient clinic and supportive housing services.

Odyssey House is proud to celebrate 40 years of providing quality substance abuse treatment, mental health, medical, dental, and housing services to vulnerable New Yorkers.  Family-focused residential and outpatient treatment meets the needs of women with children, adolescents, young adults, the mentally ill, the homeless, people with HIV/AIDS, and senior citizens.

CONTACT:
Sharu Mundell Williams
212-361-1660
smwilliams@odysseyhouseinc.org

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