Committee approves extension for opioid prevention program; staff says post-probation outcomes not tracked routinely

The committee moved and carried a recommendation to accept an extension of time for the DuPage County Health Department's heroin/opioid prevention and education program (FIR191-25). Vice Chair Eckhoff asked whether the county tracks participant outcomes after they complete probation, saying it would be useful evidence for grant applications and program promotion.

Kathy Strykovich, who answered questions for staff, said the county maintains outcome data only for the period participants remain under probation supervision and does not have routine post-probation outcome data unless participants voluntarily engage with probation after their supervision ends: "Of the initial 8 program intakes and then throughout the sustained period of their work with the recovery coaches and the duration of probation. We do not have data post probation in terms of how people do unless they voluntarily engage with, the probation department."

Members discussed whether participation could be made a condition of grant participation to secure longer-term follow-up, and some said requiring follow-up could improve program marketing and grant competitiveness. The committee approved the extension; the transcript records no change to program terms or a requirement to collect post-probation outcomes.