Better Outcomes Less Taxpayer Cost An EvidenceBased Investment
Better Outcomes, Less Taxpayer Cost An “Evidence-Based” Investment Strategy: The Washington State Legislative Approach 2010 Legislative Policy Conference Minnesota State Legislature February 10, 2010 Steve Aos Assistant Director Washington State Institute for Public Policy Phone: (360) 586 -2740 E-mail: saos@wsipp. wa. gov Institute Publications: www. wsipp. wa. gov 1 of 7
Overview What Works? Example Next Steps? Washington State Institute for Public Policy Seattle WSIPP Capitol My House Olympia 2 of 7
Overview What Works? Example Next Steps? Washington legislature has asked WSIPP this question: “Are There Evidence-Based Policy Options That Improve Public Outcomes, but at Less Cost? ” Our 3 -Step Research Approach 1. What works, and what doesn’t? We analyze ALL, RIGOROUS evaluations of REAL WORLD ways to improve key public outcomes. 2. What are the economics of each option? We compute benefits and costs (ROI) to the people of Washington for the public policy options. 3. Statewide, how would alternative “portfolios” affect big picture outcomes ? 3 of 7
ANNUAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUE EXCLUSIVE RATINGS Over 200 Crime–Related Programs and Policies Institute Publications: www. wsipp. wa. gov S Reports Are Available on: üCriminal Justice üJuvenile Justice Programs üChild Welfare programs üEducation üMental Health üSubstance Abuse taxpayer dollars programs üPrevention reduce üMore on the way that crime and save BEST 2010 Crime Policies to Adopt taxpayers money. 4 of 7
Overview What Works? Example Next Steps? Change In Benefits Minus Costs, Crime per-person, life cycle What Works to Reduce Crime? (Draft Update) Adult Offenders (# of EB Studies) (Probability: Costs > Ben) Adult Drug Courts -9. 3% (67) $3, 717 Education Prgs. , Prison -8. 3% $9, 449 (3%) (2%) (17) Drug Tx in Prison (TC or out-patient) -5. 4% (20) $6, 371 (6%) Cog-Behavioral Treatment -7. 1% (27) $8, 811 (1%) ISP: surveillance -1. 6% (23) -$2, 596 (86%) ISP: treatment -17. 9% (11) $8, 531 (22%) Juvenile Offenders Functional Family Thpy. -18. 1% (7) $23, 671 (<1%) Multisystemic Therapy -7. 7% (10) $6, 533 (n/a) Aggression Repl. Trng. -5. 3% (4) $6, 714 (n/a) Family Int. Transitions -15. 3% (1) $37, 101 (n/a) MDT Foster Care -17. 9% (3) $38, 904 (n/a) Prevention* Crime Benefits Shown* Pre-School* (low income) -16. 6% (8) $5, 707* (n/a) Nurse Family Partnership* -15. 7% (2) $5, 225* (n/a) * Programs have other monetized non-crime benefits; only crime-related benefits reported here. 5 of 7
Overview What Works? Reports available for downloading www. wsipp. wa. gov Example Next Steps? Washington Legislative Actions ü Started funding several evidence-based juvenile justice programs in 1990 s. ü 2007 Legislature made a substantial change to evidence-based criminal justice funding in adult and juvenile corrections, and prevention. ü WA now ties, explicitly, the official state prison forecast to the expected effects of the funded portfolio. ü Encouraging signs of less crime and control of costs. 6 of 7
Overview What Works? Example Next Steps? Washington State’s Legislative Approach 1. Establish an entity, under legislative control, to produce Consumer Reports-like information: ü Non-partisan governance ü Multi-purpose (topics in many public policy areas). ü Work closely with legislative committee staff ü Focus: evidence & return on taxpayer investment 2. Direct the specific studies via legislation: 3. More Information? ü saos@wsipp. wa. gov 7 of 7
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