Flint Odyssey House: Building a Stronger Workforce Through Partnership
Flint Odyssey House has long been a cornerstone of community support, with a mission “to provide prevention, early intervention, primary treatment, and family services to families impacted by substance use disorder and mental health crises 24/7.” Since its founding in 1972 near Detroit, the organization has served as a vital pillar in the community. While its work is essential to public health and community well-being, Flint Odyssey House—like many behavioral health organizations—faces an ongoing challenge: recruiting and retaining a highly skilled workforce while supporting professional growth from within. Investing in professional development strengthens internal talent pipelines and ensures that the community receives the highest level of care.
On October 10th, a GST Apprenticeship Specialist met with Executive Director Dr. Tyson and HR Director Rochell to explore a partnership. The goal was to identify state-funded training opportunities that could both upskill their workforce and align with the organization’s mission. From this conversation, the team decided to host an open-house style information session for Flint Odyssey House employees. At the session, the GST apprenticeship team presented—both in person and virtually—an overview of available training programs and apprenticeship opportunities. Through these discussions, it became clear that the Michigan Career Opportunity Academy for Community Health (MiCOACH) Worker training, combined with a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship, would be the ideal solution.
What is MiCOACH?
The Michigan Career Opportunity Academy for Community Health (MiCOACH) prepares recent high school graduates and other adults to enter the healthcare field. Operating across five Michigan Works! agency regions, the program provides training, mentoring, and support for individuals pursuing careers as Community Health Workers (CHWs). MiCOACH plays a critical role in strengthening underserved communities by expanding the behavioral healthcare workforce and equipping participants with the skills to address pressing public health needs and emergencies.
Participants in MiCOACH benefit from more than high-quality training: tuition is fully covered through GST Michigan Works!, each participant receives a $300 weekly stipend, and every trainee is provided with a new laptop to support their learning. Upon completion of the 12-week program, graduates are prepared to transition to employment and ideally, into a registered apprenticeship program.
The Registered Apprenticeship is a one-year, competency-based program that places graduates in full-time Community Health Worker roles. Each apprentice is paired with a mentor within the organization, who provides guidance and oversight. Mentors are responsible for coaching apprentices through 37 required competencies, ensuring that they achieve the professional standards set by the Department of Labor. Once all competencies are met, apprentices receive a nationally recognized Department of Labor certification—portable across the United States and highly valuable in the healthcare workforce.
After careful planning, Flint Odyssey House identified 14 staff members to serve as mentors, creating capacity for 14 apprentices. Today, GST Michigan Works! proudly congratulates the 14 participants who completed both MiCOACH training phases, and 13 who have now been officially registered with the Department of Labor as apprentices. These individuals are expected to complete their apprenticeships by early 2026, strengthening their professional skills and the organization’s ability to serve the community.
The Flint Odyssey House partnership with GST Michigan Works! is more than just a training initiative—it is an investment in the future. By aligning its mission with innovative workforce development strategies, the organization is cultivating a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals who can deliver high-quality care where it’s critically needed. This model ensures the immediate strengthening of Flint Odyssey House’s workforce and the
long-term capacity to meet evolving community health needs for years to come.