Why Evidence-Based Programs?
In order to provide the best possible service and results to our
clients, Evidence-Based Associates (EBA) centers its business on a small set of internationally-recognized, research-proven programs known as evidence-based
programs (EBPs). When servicing our clients, EBA contracts only with those programs that
meet the highest standards of scientific scrutiny. These programs
are the best of the best—proven by research and data to
generate positive results.
EBA's
Redirection project in the state of Florida is an example of how utilizing EBPs vs. out-of-home placement saves taxpayer dollars. This chart outlines the savings.
EBA only works with gold-standard,
evidence-based programs because they:
- Reduce taxpayers' costs. As noted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, in some places, the average cost
to operate a detention bed exceeds $70,000 annually, and experts estimate that the cost of building,
financing and operating a single bed over 20 years is approximately $1.5 million. EBPs are
sufficiently less than out-of-home placement and can save an average of $30,000 per youth per year when utilized as an alternative to placement.
- Eliminate the growing need for expensive new prison construction and staffing. Operating costs for public detention centers more than doubled between 1985 and 1995, from $362 million to almost $820 million (Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation). Instead of continuing to fund an ineffective, detrimental system for young offenders, we can redirect those funds to lower-cost, more effective programs.
- Reduce re-arrests. Redirecting youth to evidence-based services will lower the severity level of future offenses.
- Give troubled youth the chance to change. Youth served in evidence-based programs commit up to 50 percent fewer crimes.
FACT: The large majority of programs implemented in our communities have little or no credible
research or evidence of effectiveness, lead funders to risk having poor outcomes and squander millions in wasted
resources each year.
FACT: Investments in proven, tested, research-based programs lead to greatly
improved outcomes and significant cost savings.
According to a review by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado, of the more than 900
prevention/intervention programs that claim to prevent or deter violence, drug use or delinquent behavior,
less than 20 percent have any rigorous evaluation or proof of effectiveness.
EBA only utilizes programs that have met the highest standard of scientific inquiry and have a solid research foundation together with a demonstrated track record of success in terms of replication and support. We recommend the use of the
Blueprints Model Program criteria as managed by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, University of Colorado at Boulder. These criteria include the following:
- Evidence of Deterrent Effect with a Strong Research Design
- Sustained Effects
- Multiple-site Replication
- Costs Versus Benefits
"No respectable business would invest millions of dollars in an enterprise without assessing
its profit potential. No reputable physician would subject a patient to a medical treatment
for which there was no evidence of its effectiveness," says Delbert Elliott, director of the
Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence. "A responsible accounting to the taxpayers,
private foundations, or businesses funding these programs requires that we justify these
expenditures with tangible results."
We are so certain that
we can deliver positive results due to our relationships and knowledge of
evidence-based programs that our contracts are
performance-based contracts—contracts guaranteeing the
outcomes desired or returning funding for youth who don't succeed.
