Integrity House Receives $1 Million Grant to Expand Employment Opportunities for People Affected by Opioid Use Disorder
Integrity House has been awarded a $1 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) to broaden workforce development and employment opportunities for individuals affected by opioid use disorder (OUD). The funding will support a new two-year initiative designed to help participants build stable careers while strengthening their long-term recovery.
The grant was awarded through New Jersey’s Pathways to Recovery program and will allow the Newark-based nonprofit organization to expand services across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren counties. The program is specifically designed for individuals living with opioid use disorder, as well as those considered at increased risk of developing substance use challenges.
Through the initiative, participants will receive career training, workforce preparation, and job placement assistance across a variety of growing industries. Training opportunities will include careers in peer recovery services, healthcare, skilled trades, security, logistics, and food service, providing multiple pathways to stable, long-term employment.
Beyond job training, the program will also offer educational support to help participants strengthen foundational skills. Services include GED preparation, basic education programs, and career readiness training, ensuring participants have the qualifications needed to pursue sustainable employment opportunities.
Recognizing that recovery often involves overcoming multiple barriers, Integrity House will provide a broad range of supportive services aimed at improving long-term success. Participants may receive assistance with:
- Childcare services
- Transportation support
- Legal assistance
- Access to behavioral health care
- Substance use disorder treatment services
These additional resources are intended to remove common obstacles that can prevent individuals from entering or remaining in the workforce while supporting their recovery journey.
The Pathways to Recovery program was first introduced by the New Jersey Department of Labor in 2019, initially targeting communities most heavily impacted by the opioid epidemic. In 2024, the initiative expanded to serve the entire state. Since its launch, the program has distributed more than $39 million in combined state and federal funding to strengthen employment services, workforce training, and recovery support programs for individuals affected by substance use disorders.
Integrity House President and CEO Robert Budsock emphasized the importance of meaningful employment as part of recovery, noting that stable work can provide individuals with confidence, independence, financial security, and a renewed sense of purpose. He explained that the new funding will significantly expand opportunities for people affected by opioid use disorder by connecting them with the education, practical skills, and support systems necessary to pursue rewarding careers and achieve lasting success.
Founded nearly six decades ago, Integrity House has grown into one of New Jersey’s largest licensed nonprofit providers of comprehensive behavioral health and substance use disorder services. Its statewide programs include residential and outpatient addiction treatment, mental health care, physical health services, housing assistance, community outreach, and prevention initiatives, offering a continuum of care for individuals and families impacted by addiction.
The organization's commitment to high-quality treatment has received national recognition. In 2025, Newsweek named Integrity House one of America's Best Addiction Treatment Centers for the second consecutive year, highlighting its continued leadership in delivering evidence-based recovery services and comprehensive support throughout New Jersey.
Source: NJBIZ