Odyssey House Victoria

To acknowledge Wear it Purple Day today staff from across our offices wore our 'You are loved' t-shirts and had a 'Morning Tea with Purpose' where we shared rainbow themed food and discussed the ways we can ensure LGBTQIA+ people and rainbow families can feel safe in our offices and using our services.

Today is Wear it Purple Day!

Wear it Purple was founded in 2010 to advocate for and empower young people in the rainbow community and to raise awareness about s*xuality, s*x and gender identity. Wear it Purple was started by students in response to global stories of teenagers taking their own lives due to bullying and harassment. It is now an international movement of love and support that affirms LGBTQIA+ young people to be their authentic selves.

This year the theme is "Your passion, Your pride".

We unite with other workplaces, schools, community organisations and universities to celebrate diversity and a more inclusive future for all Australians. At Odyssey Victoria every identity, gender and expression is always welcome and this extends to our staff, consumers, their families and friends and the broader community.

An expert panel examining how to best prevent violence against women and children has called for harsher alcohol and gambling laws to help bring down rates of s*xual, domestic and family violence.

It also recommended funding more crisis accommodation, and the development of a national response to online misogyny and radicalisation among other measures.

The panel said alcohol, gambling and p**n companies had not been proactive in addressing the impact their products and business models have on the severity of violence and abuse against women and children.

The rapid review recommended restrictions on alcohol advertising, sales and delivery times as well as a total ban on gambling ads.

Family violence review calls for total gambling ad ban and tougher alcohol sale laws An expert panel examining how to best prevent violence against women and children has called on alcohol, gambling and p**n companies to be more proactive in tackling the crisis.

JOBS AT ODYSSEY: Senior AOD Clinician Counselling Assessment

About Odyssey House Victoria:

Odyssey House Victoria (OHV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey House we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OHV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

About this opportunity:

We are seeking an experienced Clinician to step into the Senior Clinician, counselling, and assessment role. As a senior clinician you will be conducting comprehensive assessments and provide a range of advanced counselling interventions to assist complex clients and their family members to change harmful behaviours resulting from problematic AOD use.

The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to provide clinical supervision, encompassing guidance, support, and oversight in a clinical setting.

Candidates with experience working with forensic clients, facilitating groups and supervising other staff will be highly regarded!

Key areas of focus:

Teamwork
Provision of Treatment Services
Professional Liaison and Consultation
Supervision and Professional Development
Administration

If you are interested in this role, please click here:

ELMO HRIS - Administration - Career - View Job - Senior AOD Clinician Counselling Assessment Odyssey House Victoria is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families and communities to reduce drug....

45 YEARS AND COUNTING -
HAPPY 45TH ANNIVERSARY TO US!

We have a long-standing tradition for residents who are ready to transition out of our therapeutic communities (resi rehab) back into the community. They are presented with a beautiful quilt which is unique and is individually selected for them personally to keep as a reminder of their journey with us. All of the quilts are provided by the members of the for which we are very grateful. 💝

The annual number of drug overdose deaths in Australia has almost doubled over the past 20 years, according to a new report.

Of the 2,356 overdose deaths in 2022, the vast majority were unintentional and involved two or more drugs.

More than 42,000 Australians have now died from an overdose since the turn of the century, according to the Penington Institute.

Pennington Institute CEO John Ryan said Australia needs to create a national strategy to counter overdose, with a focus on treatment-seeking and harm reduction.

Less than 2 per cent of the national drug budget goes to harm reduction, Mr Ryan said, compared to two thirds going to law enforcement.

When police came to her door, Jen was worried her daughter had been arrested. The reality was far worse Annual drug overdose deaths in Australia have almost doubled over the past 20 years. Advocates say it's time governments change the way they tackle the issue.

JOBS AT ODYSSEY: AOD Clinician - Team Leader - Clinical - HC at Bairnsdale (full time)

About Odyssey House Victoria:

Odyssey House Victoria (OHV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey House we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OHV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

About this opportunity:

You will support the Program Manager in the development, implementation, and coordination of programs to enhance clinical practices and meet organisational and funding agreements.

This role will be responsible for ensuring that clinical team members have a sound understanding of the underlying principles, theory and essential qualities of informed and considered clinical practice within the therapeutic environment.

Key areas of focus:

Clinical Leadership
Case Management / Treatment Activities
Program Development
Staff Management
Networking
Quality

If you are interested in this role, please click here:

ELMO HRIS - Administration - Career - View Job - Team Leader - Clinical - HC Odyssey House Victoria is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families and communities to reduce drug....

Odyssey House Victoria’s annual Short Story Competition is open for 2024. This year’s theme is "Regret" and must include a reference to alcohol or other drugs.

Regret is a powerful emotion that resonates with everyone. It’s those moments we wish we could change, the opportunities we didn’t seize, and the paths we didn’t take. Through regret, we can grow and learn.

First place wins $1000 and a one year membership to Writers Victoria.
For full T’s and C’s and instructions on how to enter, head to

https://odyssey.org.au/short-story-competition-2024/

Thought for a Sunday…

Over the course of this year, we have been upgrading the furniture, resources and equipment in our Children's Centre at our Lower Plenty residential rehab site. It provides an environment that is trauma informed and better supports the needs of the children who live in the therapeutic community with their parents. Doesn't it look amazing?

Our BRACE program team works with at-risk young people in schools. Last week, they celebrated being finalists in the HESTA Awards with our CEO Dr Stefan Gruenert, Sue Blair from .super and Craig Archer from . BRACE has been nominated for Community Services - Team Excellence.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony next Thursday evening. We are excited to hear the outcome.☺️

JOBS AT ODYSSEY: AOD Clinician - AOD Clinician Counselling & Assessment at Melton (full-time)

About Odyssey House Victoria:

Odyssey House Victoria (OHV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey House we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OHV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

Role Purpose:
The AOD Clinician: Counselling & Assessment is responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments and providing a range of counselling interventions to assist clients and their family members to change harmful behaviours resulting from problematic alcohol and other drug use. The key purpose of the position is to reduce harms and increase a client’s capacity to effectively manage the difficulties they are experiencing.

Key areas of focus:

Provision of treatment services
Professional liaison and consultation
Supervision and professional development
Administration

If you are interested in this role, please click here:
https://odyssey.elmotalent.com.au/careers/workwithohv/job/view/321

ELMO HRIS - Administration - Career - View Job - AOD Clinician Counselling & Assessment Odyssey House Victoria is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families and communities to reduce drug....

45 YEARS AND COUNTING -
HAPPY 45TH ANNIVERSARY TO US!

In 2015, then Premier Daniel Andrews attended our Lower Plenty residential rehab to announce a government funding plan to tackle the supply and use of methamphetamines. This ‘ice action plan’ provided more funding in the AOD sector to expand drug rehabilitation for users, particularly in rural and regional areas of Victoria.
*Pictured here with our CEO Dr Stefan Gruenert and then Chair Bruce Hartnett.

JOBS AT ODYSSEY: AOD Clinician - Team Leader - Clinical - HC at Bairnsdale (full time)

About Odyssey House Victoria:

Odyssey House Victoria (OHV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey House we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OHV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

About this opportunity:

You will support the Program Manager in the development, implementation, and coordination of programs to enhance clinical practices and meet organisational and funding agreements.

This role will be responsible for ensuring that clinical team members have a sound understanding of the underlying principles, theory and essential qualities of informed and considered clinical practice within the therapeutic environment.

Key areas of focus:

Clinical Leadership
Case Management / Treatment Activities
Program Development
Staff Management
Networking
Quality

If you are interested in this role, please click here:
https://odyssey.elmotalent.com.au/careers/workwithohv/job/view/323

ELMO HRIS - Administration - Career - View Job - Team Leader - Clinical - HC Odyssey House Victoria is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families and communities to reduce drug....

At Odyssey Victoria we recognise the impact of the overdose crisis on our community. The lives lost to overdose are not just statistics. They are our daughters, sons, siblings, moms and dads.

That’s why this August 31st we are observing International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD).

This year, the theme recognises that our collective voices are stronger, louder, and the most impactful when brought together. Join us this to remember those we have lost and advocate for change.

For ways to get involved, check out the IOAD website:

Get Involved - International Overdose Awareness Day /*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 10-04-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Hold your own activity or event in your commu...

Recently the Allan Labor Government announced the building of a new alcohol and other drug rehabilitation facility in Mildura. Odyssey in partnership with Sunraysia Community Health Service, the Mallee District Aboriginal Service and the Mildura Base Public Hospital, was successful in our consortium bid to help establish and then operate the new facility.

Whilst Sunraysia will lead the consultations and model design phase, the consortium have agreed that Odyssey will lead the operation of the new service once building is completed (around 2026). Here are the key stakeholders including our own CEO, Dr Stefan Gruenert (kneeling front right) together with an aerial view of the site where the new residential program will be established.

We are very excited to be bringing this support and treatment to the Mildura community.

Navigating teenage drinking is a challenging time for many parents.

The science tells us that drinking during teenage years is harmful and risky; but as many parents know, the reality of what happens at teenage parties can be very different to what's recommended as best practice.

Professor Ian Hickie, from the Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney, said for many young Australians drinking begins at about the age of 15 or 16.

"There is a belief among many parents that if I start actually initiating my kids with alcohol early they'll learn to drink responsibly.

He said drinking alcohol can damage developing cabling systems in the brain involved in good decision making "that are really important to learning how to stop doing really stupid things".

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation said other areas of the brain associated with attention and memory are also impacted by early drinking leading to increased risk of memory problems, learning difficulties and mental health issues.

Can you give your underage teenager alcohol legally? This and other questions about youth drinking answered It is one of the big challenges of parenting; setting rules around alcohol with teenagers. Is it a good idea to give them a taste early? Is that even legal?

45 YEARS AND COUNTING -
HAPPY 45TH ANNIVERSARY TO US!

In 2004, Odyssey started development on our stand alone family accommodation at Lower Plenty. The group of mud brick residential units were to provide independence for families in the therapeutic community. We had 19 residents volunteer to learn the craft of making mud bricks and in 12 months they manufactured 30, 000 bricks to be used for the units. In 2006, the first family moved in. In 2011, more units and a community centre were established so we could support more families. Were you one of the residents at the time who helped with the establishment of our mud brick family units?

JOBS AT ODYSSEY: AOD Clinician - Benalla (part time)

About Odyssey House Victoria:

Odyssey House Victoria (OHV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey House we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OHV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

Role Purpose:

The key purpose of the position is to support clients in residential treatment in establishing healthier lifestyles free of problematic alcohol and drug use, fostering the process of mutual self-help recovery.

Key areas of focus:

Case Management
Program Development and Treatment Activities
Networking
Quality

If you are interested in this role, please click here:
https://odyssey.elmotalent.com.au/careers/workwithohv/job/view/320

ELMO HRIS - Administration - Career - View Job - AOD Clinician - CB Odyssey House Victoria is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families and communities to reduce drug....

Odyssey Victoria is proud to be part of a consortium partnership in Mildura announced last Friday by the Allan Labor Government. The government has announced plans for a $30 million facility with 30 beds specialising in withdrawal and detox for community members in Mildura with alcohol and other drug misuse issues.

The consortium consists of Sunraysia Community Health services managing the facility and partnering with Odyssey Victoria, Mildura Base Hospital and Mallee District Aboriginal Services to bring this support and treatment to the Mildura community.

https://www.miragenews.com/another-milestone-moment-for-rehab-centre-in-1292876/

Another Milestone Moment For Rehab Centre In Mildura The Allan Labor Government is another step closer to delivering a specialist adult drug and alcohol residential withdrawal and rehabilitation facility

Methamphetamine use has been an increasing issue across Australia and access to rehabilitation facilities has become increasingly challenging - particularly for those seeking support and treatment in rural towns.

This is the story of how one Australian community has bravely fought back.

https://www.marieclaire.com.au/latest-news/ice-epidemic-mildura/How Mildura Fought The Ice Addiction Destroying Its People (marieclaire.com.au)

www.marieclaire.com.au

These images were taken in the driveway of our Lower Plenty rehab on the first day of this month. The first photo showed the fog clouding the driveway at 8.30am while the second was taken at 3.30pm and shows the sunshine breaking through the wintery day. These photos are a great reminder that after the fog, the sun will shine again.

Protonitazene is a synthetic opioid that was detected in a va**ng device and in two bottles of va**ng e liquid found at the scene of a death of a teenage boy in Queensland and in the v**e of a man in Victoria who survived an overdose. Nitazines have a high overdose potential and are being unexpectedly found in different substances.

Cannabis v**es in Australia containing opioids spark calls for better access to anti-overdose drugs Va**ng synthetic opiods can cause overdose or unconsciousness within minutes and from just six puffs, Victorian medical expert says

JOBS AT ODYSSEY: Family Preservation & Reunification Early Years Practitioner Case Manager (full time fixed term) at Dandenong

About Odyssey House Victoria:

Odyssey House Victoria (OHV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey House we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OHV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

Role Purpose:

You will provide outreach wraparound services to families where children’s ages range from unborn to adolescents. This role requires flexibility including availability to work outside of business hours.

You will engage parents and their babies/children/adolescents to build their capacity as parents and functional families. They will support the parent/s to provide for their children’s health, safety and development as well as work towards building their self-reliance and sustainability through access to education, vocational training and employment.

You will deliver the program in the home and community as needed for 4 to 6 months. However, we expect that the intervention may benefit from more extended engagement and referral to other services as required. Areas of clinical focus include risk assessment and safety planning and practitioners will strive to empower parents to help their babies, children and adolescent’s live safely in the community, attain school/vocational goals, and develop prosocial behaviours. Practitioners will work with the ecology of the family; and school, sporting clubs and local businesses will be engaged as the individual needs and strengths of the family are identified.

You will engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in a culturally safe and competent way. This includes engaging in regular consultation with the program’s Cultural Advisor and including ongoing training

A week in the role:

If you were here last week, you would have:

Met with a family in their home and provided targeted support
Attended team meetings
Collaborated cross sectionally with care teams
Attended clinical supervision with an Odyssey House clinical supervisor
Worked at the intersection of Alcohol and other Drug Use and Family Violence
Engaged in self-care

If you are interested in this role, please click here:

ELMO HRIS - Administration - Career - View Job - Family Preservation & Reunification Early Years Practitioner Case Manager Odyssey House Victoria is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families and communities to reduce drug....

45 YEARS AND COUNTING -
HAPPY 45TH ANNIVERSARY TO US!
Odyssey Victoria has enjoyed their own Olympic spirit for over four decades. The Odyssey Olympics started as an interstate competition in 1983. Odyssey residents from NSW and Victoria would compete in a range of events including athletics, swimming, tennis and other recreational activities such as darts, chess and snooker. It ran nearly every year until 1996 and then after a hiatus returned in 2006. Now that we have three sites in Victoria, we have state based Olympics.

JOBS AT ODYSSEY: First Aid Trainer Assessor (casual) Richmond & Footscray

About Odyssey House Victoria:

Odyssey House Victoria (OHV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey House Victoria we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OHV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

About this role:

You will contribute to the training and development of adult learners who are undertaking studies in the Diploma or Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other drugs or employees within the alcohol and other drugs and allied workforces including Odyssey staff and clinicians. The role may also contribute to the revision and evaluation of learning and assessment materials and strategies related to the delivery of first aid competencies.

Willingness to travel within 120km of Melbourne CBD will be highly regarded!

Duties include but are not limited to…

Facilitating training and assessment of the first aid competencies to diverse groups of adult learners
Liaising with a team of student administrators and coordinators for the scheduling of first aid training programs
Ensuring all assessment outcomes are recorded accurately in the Odyssey student management system within defined timelines
Ensuring that all training and assessment and related student administration carried out meets the requirements of the Australian Qualifications Framework, Standards of the National VET Regulator and funding agreements of the Department of Education and Training Skills First Contract
Participating in activities that aim to promote and improve ways of working including validation, moderation, and quality assurance processes.

If you are interested in this role, please click here:

ELMO HRIS - Administration - Career - View Job - First Aid Trainer Assessor Odyssey House Victoria is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families and communities to reduce drug....

These beautiful individually hand crafted pocket hearts were sent to us by a kind person to give out to people seeking our services. These lovingly created pocket hearts are now at our admissions reception for people to take one as they enter treatment for their drug or alcohol misuse. We hope these little hearts bring them comfort. We are grateful for this caring gesture and sure the people receiving them will also appreciate them.