Program Description

Program/Practice Description: Odyssey House Texas is a modified therapeutic community committed to providing comprehensive and quality services to achieve lasting changes in the values and behaviors of adolescents with substance abuse problems, in order to create healthy lifestyles and healthy families. Odyssey House helps troubled adolescents break destructive life cycles. It helps them uncover the root of their problems and treats the whole person. Odyssey House provides them with the opportunity and the tools they need to rebuild their lives and redirect their futures.

Background/Program History: Odyssey House Texas has been in business for 18 years. In 1989, local families who had lost their children to drugs, alcohol, or death identified the need for an effective and affordable treatment program. The current director visited other Odyssey Houses across the country, was impressed with the concept and structure of the therapeutic community, and incorporated best practices from the field in establishing Odyssey House Texas.

Innovations and Results: Odyssey House Texas treats the symptoms of substance abuse and the underlying causes that drive the behavior. It takes a holistic approach to treatment, treating the whole individual. The focus is on overall life functioning. In addition to substance abuse treatment, adolescents are taught basic life skills, independent living skills, and employability skills. Additionally, there is an onsite accredited school program.

Operations: Odyssey House Texas is a long-term residential facility (4-9 months, based on individual need) with a maximum capacity of 20 adolescents. The program is designed for both males and females ages 13 to 17at admission. Adolescents must meet the eligibility criteria: substance dependency as an identified presenting problem; in need of intensive residential treatment in an alternative environment; and willingness to voluntarily admit to the program and comply with the program structure, rules, and their individual treatment issues and goals. Odyssey House Texas provides a safe and nurturing environment that encourages trust and risk, the appropriate length of time required for healthy growth and recovery, life skills for daily and independent living, continuing care that supports transition back into the community, and a professional environment that evolves with the changing needs of the adolescents in the community.

Funding: Odyssey House Texas was established using private funds and now is funded with both private and State monies. The majority of the funds come from private sources (foundations and organizations).

Staffing: Odyssey House Texas has 13 full-time employees, including 4 licensed master's level case managers/substance abuse counselors, clinical admissions person, business manager, program director, office manager, facilities manager, nurse, and school coordinator. There is ongoing education for the staff, since new ideas allow for creativity.