As part of our holistic approach to treatment, we make sure our clients transition smoothly into the work force by providing onsite educational services, vocational skills training, and job placement assistance. 

Every client entering treatment is assigned a vocational rehabilitation counselor who will:

• Assess the client’s aptitude by conducting a comprehensive vocational assessment
• Administer ongoing educational and vocational tests to help the client find an appropriate job
• Help the client develop and pursue his/her vocational and educational goals
• Provide continuous counseling to help the client adapt to his/her new working lifestyle
• Refer the client to relevant community resources in education and vocational training

Vocational Services

Odyssey House works with several vocational training organizations to provide our clients the opportunity of a career in the field of their choice. Clients may participate in a variety of vocational trainings, including building maintenance, culinary arts, commercial driving, auto mechanics, health care, clerical duties and computer installation.

In addition, we offer a Resident Staff Training Program that gives clients the opportunity to pursue careers in:

• Clinical counseling, after completing a six-month comprehensive internship program as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC)
• Maintenance, after completing a four-month intensive internship program in facility maintenance
• Food service, after completing a  four-month inclusive internship program in the food service industry

More than 80% of residents who graduated from the Resident Staff Training Program are offered employment with Odyssey House.

Educational Services

We work in partnership with the New York City Department of Education and Project Restart to provide on-site educational services. Adult Basic Education (ABE) services are provided through the Department of Education and are available to all adult Odyssey House residential clients. In the past six years, more than 1,700 Odyssey House clients were enrolled in our on-site educational programs.

Adolescent educational services are provided through Project Restart and are available to all Odyssey House adolescent clients.  Odyssey House administers the General Educational Development (GED) examination five times a year.  In 2008, 81% of the adolescents who took the GED exam passed.