HAMPTON -- To meet the needs of its clients and offset a shaky economy, OdysseyNH is restructuring its programs to reduce cost while maintaining the level of care and support for the people it serves.

OdysseyNH has been helping New Hampshire youth, women and families reclaim their lives from the difficulties of substance abuse, trauma and behavioral issues since 1970.

Currently there are four residential programs in Hampton, Rochester and Canterbury, as well as New Hampshire's first Recovery High School in Hampton. The restructuring involved moving PACE, the short-term evaluation and treatment program, from Rochester to the Adolescent Therapeutic Center in Hampton.

This has reduced costs and will centralize the organization's services and staff. With this restructure and without increasing capacity, ONH's ATC becomes an intensive, comprehensive short and long-term facility for youth. Residents will continue to attend the Odyssey Academy, which is a special needs certified school.

In addition, the Blue Heron Inn, Odyssey's transitional living facility, will increase staff, enhancing support services to teens learning independent living skills. The program will now provide community group living for teens, many who also attend the Odyssey Academy, for whom returning home is not possible.

While the number of Blue Heron residents will not change, the increased staff will give the teens greater opportunities to pursue their goals of success.

All of the other established OdysseyNH programs, including the academy, the Recovery School and Odyssey Family Center, will not be impacted by this reorganization. The programs will continue to provide high-quality services to clients, adhering to the agency's mission of inspiring youth, women and families to become contributing members of the community.

These changes will allow OdysseyNH to be flexible and to focus on developing and embracing new therapeutic options alongside existing residential programs.

For details on the changes call Erik Johannessen or Loretta Allison at 758-1550.