Intervention services for at-risk youth contribute to significant savings
Release date: 4/26/2011
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., April 26, 2011 – A new report by the Justice Research Center found that the state of Florida saves more than $160 million over a two-year period as a result of prevention services provided by the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services and its member agencies, including Children’s Home Society of Florida.
In partnership with the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, Children’s Home Society of Florida offers the CINS/FINS program (Children in Need of Services/Families in Need of Services) in Central Florida, West Palm Beach and along the Treasure Coast; last year, these programs, which serve runaways, truants and other troubled youth to help them avoid entering juvenile justice system, served more than 2,400 youth and their families.
The Justice Research Center, an independent research firm with more than 25 years of experience evaluating child welfare and juvenile justice services nationwide, evaluated the extent to which Florida Network services prevent youth from future juvenile justice system involvement and estimated the corresponding cost savings to the state. The study found that, for every dollar spent on Florida Network prevention services, the state avoids spending roughly $5.50, underscoring the efficacy of investing in early interventions for children and families in need of services.
“While we’re thrilled that research illustrates the cost savings of these critical services, our top priority is protecting children and guiding them on paths toward positive decision making,” says Steve Bardy, Executive Director of Children’s Home Society of Florida. “As Florida faces another year of difficult budget decisions, this study demonstrates the importance of reaching children and youth before concerns escalate.”
The Justice Research Center report includes an evaluation of two components: a profile of Florida Network youth and services and a cost-benefit analysis. The first component examines the demographic and risk-factor profiles of current Florida Network youth and recent Florida Network program outputs and outcomes reported by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). The report found that the majority of youth served had multiple risk factors to significantly increase their odds of engaging in delinquency. Despite this, most youth who completed Florida Network services never subsequently became involved in the juvenile justice system.
As families and the state face the fiscal realities of a struggling economy, the services provided through the Florida Network and Children’s Home Society of Florida are increasingly critical. Each year, approximately 50,000 youth are judicially ordered to one of the state’s 25 regional juvenile detention centers, making effective programs and services to reduce that number an important component in providing long-term savings and benefits to the state – and to the families of Florida.
“Many youth referred to DJJ are children who experience difficult issues and react in ways that bring them to the attention of law enforcement,” says Wansley Walters, Secretary of DJJ. “The member organizations of the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services provide community-based care and intervention services at the front end that protect children and prevent them from getting more deeply involved in DJJ. Their work is key to my vision for reforming the juvenile justice system.”
For more information on the Florida Network and a copy of the Justice Research Center report, go to www.floridanetwork.org. For information Children’s Home Society of Florida, visit www.chsfl.org.
About Children's Home Society of Florida
Created in 1902, Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) is the oldest and largest statewide private not-for-profit provider of services to children and families in Florida. The South Coastal Division serves children and families in Palm Beach County through a full spectrum of prevention and intervention programs. CHS services include foster care, adoption, child development, emergency shelters, residential group homes, independent and transitional living for teens, parent education, counseling, mentoring, treatment for developmentally disabled children, and more. CHS, which served more than 126,000 children and families throughout the state in 2009-2010, is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla., and offers services in more than 100 locations by more than 1,800 staff members dedicated to providing child-focused, family-centered care.
About The Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, Inc.
The Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, Inc., is a not-for-profit statewide association representing agencies that serve homeless, runaway and troubled youth ages ten and older and their families. Our many services include: advocacy for youth, public policy development, public education, data collection and research, and training and technical assistance. We are committed to promoting policies and practices that hold our member agencies accountable for preventing delinquency and child abuse through the strengthening of youth and families. Primary funding is provided by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.