Our Odyssey Multicultural Programs team deliver specialised Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) services in western and south-western Sydney. These services included AOD counselling and support for individuals from CALD backgrounds as well as community engagement, research, and resources development to support CALD individuals and families.
Referrals
Odyssey Multicultural Programs – please call 02 8608 2611 or email multicultural@odysseyhouse.com.au
Who can make a referral:
- Correctional Services
- Community Corrections
- Health services
- Community organisations
- Self
- Family
- Friends
Services
We provide culturally appropriate support services for individuals and families from a CALD background affected by drug and alcohol-related issues.
Counselling Services
Our counselling service is a specialist multicultural service that has a particular focus on meeting the needs of people from cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Our service is based on a strengths based model modified to be culturally sensitive, and where possible provided in appropriate community languages. Our team of qualified Counsellors, Psychotherapists and Psychologists provides:
- Multicultural SMART Recovery, Mindfulness and Spirituality Group, and other group therapies
- Drug, alcohol and psychological assessments
- Counselling for individuals, families and couples
- Referrals to other services
- Culturally appropriate treatment
- We have bilingual counsellors that can speak: Akan, Arabic, Cantonese, English, Ewe, Farsi, Ga, Hindi, Khmer, Lao, Liberian Creole, Mandarin, Samoan, Tamil, Teo Chiew, Tongan Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese and some African languages.
Transitions Program
After being released from prison, reintegrating into society may be a difficult process for many formerly incarcerated people, who frequently face substantial difficulties along the way. These difficulties may be further exacerbated by factors such as socioeconomic adversity and the presence of multiple complexities such as substance use, mental illness, homelessness and unemployment.
The Transitions Program is a post-custodial initiative designed for CALD sentenced offenders re-entering the community from prison. It offers tailored support, including intensive case management, housing support and various services, addressing challenges like stigma, language barriers, and socioeconomic adversities. Our case workers speak a range of languages including Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese and Samoan.
With the objective of reducing recidivism, the Transitions Program strives to work towards 10 crucial areas as the significant determinants of effective reintegration:
- Embrace diversity and accommodate cultural differences
- Promote open and cross-cultural communication
- Connection to culture, beliefs and community
- Obtain accommodation
- Assist with Centrelink payments and services
- Gain employment and/or return to work
- Foster daily living skills
- Improve relationships with family and peers
- Provide brief intervention for drug and alcohol harm minimisation
- Referral pathways to other services
For participants
- Intensive case management support for up to 6 months post-release.
- Home visit/community-based support.
- Information and referrals to services and programs including:
- Housing and accommodation
- Family and community support
- Financial support services
- Alcohol and Other Drug Services
- Employment
- Education
- Training
- Health
- Legal
Family support
- Information and support for families and transitional support issues
- Home visit/community-based support
Criteria
- Priority for this service is given to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse individuals in custody.
- Due for release (referrals will be accepted at any time up to 12 weeks prior to release)
- A history of AOD and other related issues
- Over 18 years of age
- Participation in the Transitions Program us not a condition of parole
The Transitions Program acknowledges the significance of linguistic and cultural identity and encourages communicative practices that are both open and culturally sensitive in order to establish robust cultural ties. Case managers are culturally informed and speak a variety of languages, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Samoan and some African languages.
Other Services
- Education for CALD communities and services on alcohol and other drug issues
- Research; and
- Training for other drug and alcohol services to help services provide culturally appropriate treatment and support to people from CALD backgrounds
Contact the Odyssey Multicultural Program
Location: Liverpool
Suite 15, Level 4
13-15 Moore Street
Liverpool NSW 2170
T: 02 8608 2611
E: multicultural@odysseyhouse.com.au
Location: Blacktown
Suite 102, Level 1,
114-116 Main St
Blacktown NSW 2148
T: 02 8608 2611
E: multicultural@odysseyhouse.com.au
