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Integrating the TASC and Drug Court Model..

Integrating the TASC and Drug Court Model. Presented by Jim Evans, PC Clinical Director of Meridian Services and Andrea Paventi, MS LCDC III Executive Director of Mahoning County TASC. Created by President Richard Nixon’s Special Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention (SAODAP)

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Integrating the TASC and Drug Court Model..

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  1. Integrating the TASC and Drug Court Model.. Presented by Jim Evans, PC Clinical Director of Meridian Services and Andrea Paventi, MS LCDC III Executive Director of Mahoning County TASC

  2. Created by President Richard Nixon’s Special Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention (SAODAP) The first TASC programs began in 1972 in Wilmington, Delaware, and Philadelphia. Currently in 100 jurisdictions in 28 states Mid 90’s TASC programs received support from the U.S. Department of Justice through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Criminal Justice Block Grants through 1982. Primary functions include assessment, case management and drug testing. TASC programs work with both adult and adolescent offenders. In Ohio… There are 14 TASC programs in 18 counties. About TASC….

  3. About Drug Courts • The first drug court opened in Miami, FL in 1989 at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic • According to NADCP to the… there are currently more than 2,300 drug courts and 1,113 problem solving courts in the U.S. • Ohio TASC programs provide case management services to approximately 12 traditional drug courts and 10 other problem solving courts

  4. Mahoning County TASC & Drug Courts Mahoning County TASC provides services to the following problem solving courts: • Mahoning County Common Pleas Drug Court • Misdemeanor Drug Court • Juvenile Treatment Court • Department of Youth Services Re-Entry Court

  5. TASC’s Primary Functions • Assessment • Independent and unbiased • Looks at client’s best interest • Accepted by treatment agencies • Focuses on both criminogenic and substance use

  6. TASC’s Primary Functions Cont. • Drug Testing • Cost efficient • Staff are trained in collection procedures • True random process • Occurs at TASC • Expedited results • Flexibility to test on weekends • Know clients

  7. TASC’s Primary Functions Cont. • Case Management • Knowledgeable about community resources • Able to transport clients in community • Follows client throughout all levels of care and through different treatment providers • Centralized case file with data and stats on clients entire participation in drug court

  8. Characteristics of Mahoning County, OH • Mahoning County is the 8th Largest Ohio County • Population 251,490 • Median Household Income $38,393 • Median Age 41 • White 203,667, Black or African American 38,375 – Hispanic, 8,266

  9. MAHONING CO TASC COMPOSITION • Inc. 1999 • Current Budget $600,000 • Staff • Executive Director • Case Manager Supervisor • 2 fte Assessment Counselors • 1 fte Felony Drug Court Case Manager • 1 fte Juvenile Case Manager • 1 fte Adult TASC Case Manager • 1 fte Misdemeanor Drug Court Case Manager • 1 fte Access to Recovery Benefits Coordinator • 2 ½fte Urinalysis Coordinators • 2 fte Administrative Support Staff

  10. Mahoning Co. Drug Court Composition • Judge • Prosecutor • Drug Court Coordinator • TASC Representative • CD Treatment Agency Representatives • Probation Officer • Mental Health Representative

  11. 1998 ORIGINAL FLOW Referral to DC 3 WEEKS DC Prosecutor Legal Compliance Process 1 WEEK TASC Clinical Assessment 1 WEEK Review and Recommendation By Drug Court Team 1 WEEK TASC Develops Participant Plan/LOC with Client

  12. 2005 Changes in Participant Characteristics • PROBLEM • Significant change in drug court applicants’ age • Dramatic change in outcomes due to opiate dependence • Resistance by team to use medication assisted treatment • In 2009

  13. 2007 COURSE CORRECTION NEW PROCESS ADDED 1 WEEK DRUG COURT ORIENTATION 1 WEEK TASC Clinical Assessment Review and Recommendation By Drug Court Team 1 WEEK TASC Develops Participant Plan/LOC with Client

  14. Drug Court Orientation Group… • The group occurs after the potential client has been approved by the prosecutor for acceptance into drug court. • The group is held at TASC and conducted by the drug court coordinator. • The group is a power point overview of the entire drug court from plea to graduation.

  15. Orientation Continued… The group specifically addresses… • Program fees • Sanctions • Drug Testing Policy • Treatment options • Probation reporting requirements • Case management role • Graduation criteria

  16. 2006 Emerging Trends • PROBLEM • Decrease in revenues for public pay clients • Increase in the attractiveness and effectiveness of the court • Results are long waiting periods prior to plea • Overzealous defense attorney’s promising the • unbelievable • Addict’s primary defense kicks in • Court room drama in regards to level of care

  17. 2007 COURSE CORRECTION NEW PROCESS ADDED TASC STARTS PRE-PLEA MONITORING PERIOD

  18. Assessment Phase… • Must complete orientation group • Scheduled for assessment same day • Assessment occurs • Client returns to meet with case manager while plea date is being set • Monitoring period occurs

  19. TASC Follows Client Through Relapse • Only agency with a complete file on client • Will re-assess in jail while serving sanction • Will keep client through multiple treatment agencies

  20. 2007 PROCESS PROBLEM • Problem • Participants being pulled between recovery tasks and family responsibilities • Lack of understanding of family about addiction, recovery and community resources available to help

  21. 2008 COURSE CORRECTION NEW PROCESS ADDED TASC STARTS DC FAMILY ORIENTATION PROGRAM

  22. Family Orientation Group… • Held simultaneously with client’s group • Family role • Enabling versus helping behavior • Provides local resources for help (Alanon, family counseling) • What to expect while your loved one is in the program • HIPPA

  23. Other Key Improvements • TASC can do assessments in the jail (most funding sources do not reimburse for these) • TASC assessments meet the same standards as certified treatment agencies and can be accepted by other treatment agencies. • Work with local bar association to attract the right population for the drug court programs • Introduction of medicated assisted recovery to the drug court model

  24. Other services TASC can provide.. • Monthly bus passes to assist with transportation • Birth certificates • State ID’s • TASC offers a relapse prevention group • Mahoning County has been included in the Access to Recovery program (RSS, GAP Funds)

  25. Where do we go from here? • Questions…

  26. Contact Information • Jim Evans- jevans@meridianservices.org • 527 N. Meridian Rd. • Youngstown, OH 44509 • (330)797-0070 • Andrea Paventi- andreaglass@hotmail.com • 105 E. Boardman Street • Youngstown, OH 44503 • (330)743-2192 x101

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