History

Healthcare Alternative Systems, Inc., began in the summer of 1972 with a conversation between two recovering alcoholics dismayed at the lack of organized treatment services in the Hispanic neighborhoods on Chicago’s northwest side.  In 1974, after a formal assessment confirmed the need for bilingual, culturally-sensitive behavioral health services in the city, HAS—originally Hispano Alcoholism Services—opened its doors.

Since its inception, HAS has expanded operations to nine facilities throughout the Chicago area and become one of the region’s leading providers of behavioral health services.  It has also become one of the most all-inclusive in its services, augmenting its outpatient substance abuse programs not only with gender-specific intensive, residential, and transitional treatment programs for youth and adults, but with behavioral health programs that seek to improve individual, family, and community quality of life.  Current HAS programs address HIV/AIDS, criminal justice and ex-offender reentry, domestic violence, postpartum depression, and MISA (Mental Illness/Substance Abuse). Family case management, employee assistance, and prevention services are also offered.

Today, HAS remains the foremost provider of behavioral health services to Chicago’s Latino community.  We are also committed to a policy of inclusion, and are proud to serve a highly diverse population of English- and Spanish-speaking men, women, and youth of all backgrounds, from throughout the Chicago area.  The services we offer have increased to meet the needs of our participants, but we remain devoted to quality as well as innovation, and we have retained our local roots.  After nearly forty years of service, growth, and innovation, HAS continues to be a truly community-based organization.