08/31/11 – New Return on Investment Data Bolsters Efforts to Help Colorado Children Thrive
by Lisa MerlinoExecutive Director, Invest In Kids
The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) recently released an update of their exciting work around determining the return on investment for evidence-based programs in a variety of outcome areas. The report, Return on Investment: Evidence-Based Options to Improve Statewide Outcomes (see the Child Welfare section of the report on page 5), includes two Colorado programs – The Incredible Years (IY) and Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) – both implemented by Invest in Kids. The first data of this type available on IY, the findings show the benefit-to-cost ratio of the Parent Training and the Child Training components of the IY program to be $7.50 for each dollar invested. As well, this report notes that the benefit-to-cost ratio of the NFP program to be $3.23 for each dollar invested – a significant increase from the $2.88 benefit-to-ratio for this program noted in WSIPP's 2004 report.
These new findings further strengthen Invest in Kids' efforts to focus on the specific needs of children in low-income families, with the hope of seeing every child in Colorado thrive. We partner with community leaders, care providers and donors to work toward this goal. Only those programs able to demonstrate the highest level of standards, a research-proven track record of success and a promise of significant impact become Invest in Kids' programs. This return on investment data is a powerful affirmation of Invest in Kids' decision to only adopt proven programs with the ability to change the lives of the children and families we serve. Please visit www.iik.org to find out more information about Invest in Kids' role as an intermediary organization and the programs we implement here in Colorado.
The WSIPP was created by the Washington Legislature in 1983 to carry out practical, non-partisan research – at legislative direction – on issues of importance to the state. The Institute conducts research using its own policy analysts and economists, specialists from universities and consultants. The 2009 Washington Legislature directed the Institute to calculate the return on investment to taxpayers from evidence-based prevention and intervention programs and policies. The Legislature instructed the Institute to produce a comprehensive list of programs and policies that improve outcomes for children and adults in Washington and result in more cost-efficient use of public resources.
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