Director of Research and Evaluation
jross@tasc.org

As director of research and evaluation for TASC and its Center for Health and Justice (CHJ), Jon Ross leads internal and external projects that collectively advance knowledge regarding evidence-based practice.

This work spans internal evaluation efforts to support TASC's direct services planning, implementation, determination of effectiveness, and performance improvement, as well as external collaborations with research institutions and a wide variety of partners to conduct and disseminate research at the intersection of health and justice through CHJ.

Since joining TASC in June 2020, Jon worked in the CHJ COSSAP Law Enforcement Deflection and First Responder Diversion National Training and Technical Assistance Center as its technical writer. In his new role, he leads CHJ's research and evaluation portfolio including its federal work with NIDA/JCOIN and NIJ/RAND.

Jon has a long career in communications and public policy/public affairs, with a wide range of positions and assignments across healthcare, government, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and professional service organizations. He has served on many boards, including a chapter of Mental Health America, focusing on advocacy and branding. He teaches in the Master of Public Policy and Administration program at Adler University (Chicago, IL), handling courses in ethics, political economy, health policy, public health, and related areas. He also has taught in the Master of Public Health program at The Chicago School and the Master of Health Care Leadership program at Union Institute & University in Cincinnati.

Jon earned his BA in political science from the University of Florida, his MA in legislative affairs from George Washington University, and his PhD in public policy from Union Institute & University.