Using Cost Analysis to Examine Variability in Replications of an Efficacious Child Neglect Prevention Program

Abstract

This article reports on a program- and case-level cost analysis of five replication sites of an efficacious child neglect prevention program. Approximately one-third of all sites' total labor hours were expended on direct family services and casework support for a specific family, with the remainder spent on indirect implementation support and program administration activities. Including non-personnel costs, the all-site mean total cost per family was $6,276, ranging across sites from $2,245 to $10,260. Costs varied greatly among individual families within sites. More research is needed to understand factors associated with differences in cost.

KEYWORDS:

• evidence-based practices
• child welfare
• financing
• organizations/systems
• policy issues
• workforce issues

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many thanks to Diane DePanfilis, Phaedra Corso, Cheryl McDonnell, Tony Dong, Susan Zaid, and the Family Connections program staff for all their contributions which made this study possible.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jill H. Filene

Jill H. Filene, MPH, is the Director of James Bell Associates in Arlington, VA.

Melissa Lim Brodowski

Melissa Lim Brodowski, PhD, MSW, MPH, is a Senior Child Welfare Program Specialist in the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect at the Children's Bureau in Washington, DC.

James Bell

James Bell, MA, is the President of James Bell Associates in Arlington, VA.