Understanding TASC

Marc Harrington, LPC, LCASICase DeveloperRegion 4 TASC

mharrington@nctasc.org828 779-1621

Robin Cuellar, CCJP, CSACBuncombe County Director

rcuellar@nctasc.org828-210-0540

Understanding TASC

•What is TASC•TASC in North Carolina

•13 Critical Elements

What is TASC?

The purpose of TASC is to engage persons referred by the justice system in Substance abuse treatment and other services, and to collaborate with both justice and treatment to ensure that appropriate and adequate services are available for the justice clients.

TASC benefits both Justice and Treatment systems by:Treatment System

• Assessing clients for level of treatment needed

• Retaining clients in treatment by using leverage of the justice system

• Supporting treatment compliance through drug and alcohol testing

• Providing a structure to coordinate treatment with Justice

Justice System• Increasing supervision

through alcohol and drug testing and ongoing client contact.

• Offering interventions strategies to augment court-imposed sanctions

• Reporting to the Justice system

• Supporting communication between treatment and Justice

TASC in North Carolina

• The mission of the North Carolina TASC Network is to provide care management services to drug-involved and mentally ill offenders as early in the criminal justice continuum as possible.

Care Management• When implemented to its

fullest, case management will enhance the scope of addictions treatment and the recovery continuum. A treatment professional utilizing case management will provide the client a single point of contact for multiple health and social services systems, advocate for the client, be flexible, community-based, client-oriented, and assist the client with needs generally thought to be outside the realm of substance abuse treatment.

What We Know About Treatment & Offenders

• Treatment works• Incentives & sanctions yield higher

retention & lower relapse rates - compared to voluntary participation in treatment

• Offenders leaving a structured institutional setting endure increased stress; while possessing limited coping skills. They need relapse prevention

• Offenders need a continuum of care available, as they move through systems.

System Coordination ElementsInsure that activities are undertaken by TASC to

generate ongoing support and resources for managing substance involved clients form the justice system. A supportive framework in the larger community is needed for client activities to be meaningful and successful.

• Element 1 Coordination• Element 2 Information

Element 1 coordination

A Process to Coordinate Justice, Treatment & other Systems

• Develop collaborative approaches to integrate treatment & justice to provide a seamless continuum of treatment and accountability

• Develop & expand treatment networks• Influence the policies, procedures & priorities

of the justice & treatment systems• Insure adequate & appropriate services for

justice clients

Element 2 Information

Procedures for Providing Information & Cross-Training to justice, treatment & other systems

• Continuously develop skills & relationships

• Keep policymakers & practitioners current about status of & effective strategies for managing substance involved justice populations

Organizational Elements

Describe the basic structures that need to be in place to establish and maintain TASC as an organization, and to enable case managers to conduct client activities effectively

• Element 3 Justice Support• Element 4 Treatment Support• Element 5 Organizational Integrity• Element 6 Staff Training• Element 7 Management Information Systems

Element 3 Justice Support

A Broad Base of Support from the Justice System with a Formal System for Effective Communication

• Establish & maintain a coordinated effort & understanding for referrals between TASC & justice system components

Element 4 Treatment Support

A Broad Base of Support by the Treatment & Other Social Services Community

Establish and maintain the linkages & understanding to:

• Ensure availability & quality of treatment for justice clients

• Make client referrals• Conduct tracking, monitoring & case

management activities

Element 5 Organizational Integrity• Insure TASC program integrity and

organizational capability to carry out the program mission

• Insure objectivity and autonomyOver-identification with either system can limit TASC’s credibility and

functioning

Element 6 Staff Training

Policies and procedures for regular staff training

• Insure that all staff understand the TASC mission, philosophies & procedures to ensure competency

• TASC staff must be experts in all participating systems

• TASC staff must have skills to connect with & manage clients

• Clinical & non-clinical staff can be effective

Element 7 Management Information systemA management information system with a

program evaluation design

Provide timely and accurate information• for developing & managing program

services• for determining & improving operational

effectiveness• for policymakers & funding sources• to meet public information needs

Operational Elements

Define the basic activities that make up direct client management services that TASC programs provide.

• Element 8 Eligibility Criteria• Element 9 Person-Centered Case Management• Element 10 Screening• Element 11 Assessment• Element 12 Monitoring• Element 13 Competency with Diverse Populations

Element 8 Eligibility CriteriaClearly Defined Client Eligibility Criteria

• Set clear standards for inclusion & exclusion of individuals from TASC

• Justice system involvement• Current &/or previous AOD involvement• Informed voluntary consent

Element 9 Person-Centered Case ManagementPerforming Client Centered

Case Management• Maintain ongoing connection with each client as he/she

moves through various justice processes & multiple programs

• Communicate progress & changes regularly to both justice & treatment

• Provide the leverage, support & advocacy to encourage treatment engagement & retention

• Intervene before behavior results in treatment termination

Element 10 Screening

Screening Procedures for Identification of TASC Clients within the Justice System

• Determine appropriateness & suitability for treatment

• Determine TASC eligibility• Begin building a plan for treatment &

supervision

Element 11 Assessment

Documented Procedures for Assessment & Referral

• Provide a standardized assessment that includes clinical, justice & other information

• Referral to an appropriate level of care that is coordinated with justice requirements

• Development of a comprehensive case management plan

Element 12 Monitoring

Policies, Procedures & Protocols for Monitoring Drug & Alcohol Use through Chemical Testing

• Reliably monitor & report client’s use of or abstinence from alcohol & other drugs to encourage compliance & to facilitate the therapeutic process

Element 13 Competency with diverse Populations• Insure that TASC & treatment delivery

systems are sensitive to & provide relevant services regardless of client race, culture, religion, gender, age, ethnicity or sexual orientation

• Treatment engagement & success is dependent on the ability programs & counselors have to connect with the client

Questions?