Governor Ryan Announces Plan to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Services for Female Offenders

CHICAGO -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced a statewide substance abuse initiative to expand treatment services for women involved with the criminal justice system. The $833,228 initiative is administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS).

"Substance abuse treatment is a key to breaking the cycle of drug use and crime for women involved in the criminal justice system, " Governor Ryan said. "These initiatives represent a significant part of my plan for health care and substance abuse services to assist them in overcoming these addictions."

The initiatives will rely on interagency collaboration between the DHS, Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, the Department of Corrections, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, local court and probation systems and substance abuse treatment providers.

The goal of the initiative is to establish a system for assessment and placement within community substance abuse treatment programs. The initiative services will include a full continuum of care including recovery homes and models of treatment unique to these populations.

"Each of the agencies in these initiatives has developed a plan designed to fill a specific need in their community," said DHS Secretary Linda Reneé Baker. "Services will focus on providing treatment for women being paroled from the Department of Corrections."

The following areas have been funded through the female initiatives: