Benefits and Costs of Prevention and Early Intervention Programs for Youth

• NCJ Number: 206753
• Author(s): Steve Aos; Roxanne Lieb; Jim Mayfield; Marna Miller; Annie Pennucci
• Date Published: July 2004
• Length: 20 pages
• Corporate Author: Washington State Institute for Public Policy
• Sale Source: Washington State Institute for Public Policy
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research); Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded September 7, 2004.

Annotation

This study commissioned by the 2003 Washington State Legislature analyzed the cost-benefit of early intervention programs for youth.

Abstract

The Washington State Legislature was specifically interested in determining whether delinquency prevention and early intervention programs have demonstrated abilities to reduce crime, lower substance abuse, improve education outcomes, decrease teen pregnancy, reduce teen suicide attempts, lower child abuse or neglect, and reduce domestic violence. The study quantified the scientific research literature on prevention and early intervention programs that addressed these seven outcomes. The goal was to determine whether there is credible evidence that some types of programs achieve these desired results. The study then estimated the comparative benefits and costs of each research-based program. The principal conclusion of the study was that as of July 2004, there were some prevention and early intervention programs for youth that could provide a good return on the dollars spent on the program. Sixty-one programs were reviewed and their costs and benefits determined in 2003 dollars. The programs are presented under the following general categories: prekindergarten education programs, child welfare/home visitation programs, youth development programs, mentoring programs, youth substance abuse prevention programs, teen pregnancy prevention programs, and juvenile offender programs. Although the study found credible evidence that certain well-implemented programs can achieve significantly more benefits than costs, some prevention and early intervention programs that are widely used did not produce benefits that exceeded the money spent on them. The study advises the State to avoid spending money on programs that have yielded little evidence of effectiveness. It would be more cost-effective to funnel funds to research-proven "blue chip" prevention and early intervention programs with benefits proven to make their costs worthwhile. 1 table and 81 notes