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Blueprint of a Cost Analysis Approach for Early Intervention: Application to a Home Visiting Program to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect

St. Lawrence University, Cboulatoff{at}stlawu.edu

Vonda K. Jump

Utah State University

In the current context of accountability, analysis of early intervention program costs can help decision makers allocate resources. This paper describes a cost analysis approach, known as the ingredient method, and demonstrates its applicability for evaluating the costs of a universal home visiting program designed to reduce child abuse and neglect. Results of the cost analysis showed the average cost was ,$4,970 per family per year (in 2005 dollars). This included, on average, 2 visits by the public health nurse and 29 home visits by paraprofessional family visitors. The cost of enrolling a new family in the program, consisting of 1 initial visit by the nurse followed by weekly visits by family visitors, was $7,835. Families with the most risk for abuse and neglect were more likely to take advantage of family visitor services and enroll in more intensive services. Implications for conducting similar cost analysis studies in early intervention using the ingredient method are discussed.

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Journal of Early Intervention, Vol. 30, No. 1, 73-84 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/105381510703000106


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Boulatoff, C. Articles by Jump, V. K. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?