THE FIRST CHAPTER PROVIDES THE BACKGROUND AND THE HISTORY OF THE TASC CONCEPT AND DESCRIBES ITS BEGINNING, EVOLUTION, BASIC FUNCTIONS, AND ITS IMPACTS AND BENEFITS. THE MANUAL ALSO DESCRIBES HOW A POTENTIAL TASC COMMUNITY SHOULD FORM A PROJECT AND PREPARE A GRANT APPLICATION AND THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF A TASC PROJECT. INCLUDED ARE SUCH ITEMS AS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH KEY AGENCIES, THE UTILITY OF AN ADVISORY BOARD, THE HIRING AND DEPLOYMENT OF STAFF, STAFF TRAINING, AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ACTIVITIES. ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION AND FOR MEETING FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ARE DESCRIBED. OTHER CHAPTERS CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR INSTITUTIONALIZING THE FUNCTIONS OF TASC WHEN THE AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL MONEY CEASES; DISCUSS OPTIONAL INCLUSIONS WITHIN THE TASC FRAMEWORK, SUCH AS ALCOHOL ABUSERS; AND DETAIL THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR OBTAINING LEAA FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR A TASC PROJECT. APPENDIXES INCLUDE: 1) CHECKLISTS USEFUL IN PLANNING AND DEVELOPING A TASC PROJECT, SUBMITTING A GRANT APPLICATION, AND IMPLEMENTING THE PROJECT, 2) A GUIDE TO CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS, ALONG WITH SAMPLE FORMS USEFUL IN OPERATING A PROJECT AND REPORTING TO STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, AND 3) A SAMPLE SOLICITATION FOR EVALUATION PROPOSALS AND SAMPLE JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR TASC STAFF.