Essex County College Builds Academic Partnership with Integrity House

Essex County College and Integrity House, a nationally recognized nonprofit substance abuse rehabilitation center with locations in Newark, Secaucus and Jersey City, have launched an educational partnership whereby the school is offering college credit courses to clients of Integrity House’s Newark facility, with the goal of helping these students to attain marketable skills as they rebuild their lives as a key component of their long-term recovery.

The pilot program began at the end of January and 13 students are currently enrolled, with classes being held at Integrity House, said Maribel Garcia-Iniesta, coordinator of the program through the College’s Center for Academic Foundations. Classes being offered include college-level English, mathematics and history as well as remedial English and math. In addition, several Integrity House clients are taking general education classes on campus, such as business, psychology, economics or music.

Dr. Douglas Walcerz, Vice President for Planning, Research & Assessment, said discussions for the partnership began last fall, shortly after College President Dr. Gale E. Gibson was asked to sit on the board of trustees at Integrity House.

“Robert Budsock (President and CEO of Integrity House) suggested the idea of Essex County College offering some classes to Integrity House clients, utilizing existing classroom and computer lab space there,” Dr. Walcerz recalled. “And with Dr. Gibson’s support, that was the start of the initiative.”

Integrity House offers a full continuum of care for individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders. Using a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach, the agency provides a comprehensive therapeutic community for struggling and recovering addicts to regain control of their lives.

“The partnership with Essex County College gives our clients access to classes and the chance to further their educational careers that they may not have otherwise had,” said Robert J. Budsock, CEO and President of Integrity House. “For those recovering from substance abuse disorders, providing this opportunity paves the way for positive, long-term lifestyle changes.”

Initially, the partnership was planned to offer just remedial classes. However, when College Assessment Specialist Ciara Quinones administered placement tests to interested Integrity House clients, it was evident that many were already prepared for collegiate level courses. Integrity House Director of Education Anthony Campisi ensured the interested students applied to Essex on-line and applied for FAFSA and other financial aid.

“That was certainly a positive development, so we adapted the course offerings, largely at the last minute,” said Dr. Walcerz. “We now considerer Integrity House to be a satellite site, similar to our other satellite facilities in Newark.” Those other locations where credit courses are offered include FOCUS, Ironbound and the North Ward Center.

The classes are taught by Essex faculty. Ms. Garcia-Iniesta said she hopes Essex can offer more and varied classes for additional Integrity House clients soon.

The partnership fits into the College’s Strategic Direction of Collaborative Partnership with the Community.

About Essex County College

Essex County College is a fully accredited public community college with a total enrollment of more than 26,000 students pursuing 51 Associate degrees and 26 Certificate programs and numerous continuing education programs on campuses in Newark, West Caldwell (West Essex) and Cedar Grove (Public Safety Academy).Essex sends more transfer students to Rutgers, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Montclair State University than any other college. Since 2012, Essex has been one of the leading two-year institutions in the nation in producing Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Transfer Scholars who receive up to a $120,000 award from this prestigious organization. Essex is New Jersey’s only two-year College designated a Predominantly Black and a Hispanic Serving Institution. Essex County College was designated as a Military Friendly School by Victory Media. For more information, go to www.essex.edu.

About Integrity House:

Integrity House, a nationally recognized non-profit substance abuse rehabilitation organization with locations in Newark, Secaucus and Jersey City, New Jersey, is the largest treatment facility funded and licensed by the State of New Jersey. Providing addiction treatment and support services for almost 2,400 adult and adolescent addicts each year, Integrity House offers a full continuum of care and implements a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to treatment for clients with substance use disorders from all of New Jersey’s 21 counties, helping individuals and families to make sustainable life-style changes. Since its establishment in 1968, Integrity House has evolved to offer a multitude of state-licensed, CARF accredited programs, including Adult Residential, Adolescent Residential, Halfway House, Partial Care, Intensive Outpatient, Corrections, Aftercare, Supportive Housing and specialized programs for men and women. Integrity House also offers prevention, intervention, and educational services. For more information, visit www.integrityhouse.org or call (973) 623-7246. Connect with Integrity House on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/1qiKUBS or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/IntegrityNJ.