(Chicago) – In state fiscal year 2018, TASC reached more than 44,000 people in justice, corrections, child welfare, and health systems across Illinois. Nearly 14,000 adults and youth received in-depth services to help them achieve health and well-being in the community. Additionally, over 30,000 received screening, assessment, and other services that help inform decision-making related to diversion options and service needs.

Highlights of TASC’s reach and impact are presented in TASC’s 2018 annual report. The report also recognizes the myriad donors who contribute to TASC’s impact and success.

• Alternatives to Incarceration: In the past five years, TASC’s court and probation services diverted 11,438 adults from prison—saving the State of Illinois millions of dollars, and creating opportunities for men and women to participate in treatment and begin their recovery while on probation.
• Reduced Recidivism: Clients participating in the Sheridan and Southwestern prison substance use disorder treatment programs—along with TASC’s pre- and post- release reentry case management—were 44% less likely to return to prison within three years (Sheridan) and 48% less likely within 2 years (Southwestern) than comparable releasees who did not receive these services.
• Development and Passage of Illinois Senate Bill 3023: Sailing through the 2018 Illinois General Assembly with bipartisan support, and signed into law in August 2018, SB 3023 provides a “roadmap” for partnerships between law enforcement, substance use treatment providers, and community members to guide the development of deflection programs in their communities. Its initiation was a joint effort of the Dixon Police Department, the Mundelein Police Department, and TASC.

• Faster family reunification: Families whose parents participated in FRRP were reunited faster—on average, five months sooner. The research also shows that FRRP program clients reunify with their children at a rate slightly higher than the control group.
• Cost savings: The program saved the State of Illinois more than $11 million between 2002 and 2017.
• Reduced recidivism: There was a 53% lower re-arrest rate among adolescents whose parents were involved in TASC’s Family Recovery and Reunification Program, thereby blocking a “pipeline” from the child welfare system to the juvenile justice system to the adult criminal justice system.

Furthermore, studies have shown that most child welfare and juvenile justice programs have disproportionate outcomes, to the disadvantage of racial minorities. An added value that sets FRRP apart is that the program has been shown to eliminate racial disparity in family reunification. Regardless of race, families in this program are equally likely to reunify.

“At TASC, justice is at our foundation,” wrote TASC President Pam Rodriguez. “It reflects our commitment to building a healthy and equitable society where our clients and their families and communities can succeed and thrive….Where justice intersects with health—particularly substance use and mental health conditions—that is our work, our mission, our passion.

Read more in TASC’s annual report.