What’s the Return on Investment?

Using Placement Analysis to Measure Child Welfare Costs

By the Annie E. Casey Foundation

August 19, 2019

Using Placement Analysis to Measure Child Welfare Costs

Download this Brief on Measuring Child Welfare Costs

6-page PDF

In this Brief on Measuring Child Welfare Costs, You'll Learn

  • An overview of the placement day analysis approach.
  • How this approach helped Delaware cut back on unnecessary removals.
  • Why placement day analysis is better than a traditional head count approach.
  • How to calculate a return on investment using a savings-to-investment ratio.

About This Report

Summary

In this brief, child welfare leaders and agencies learn about an approach, called placement day analysis, that calculates the financial impact of diverting or shortening child welfare placements. Equipped with this information, decision makers can identify the right interventions and program changes — those that are good for both children and lean agency budgets — to invest in moving forward.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaway

An approach rooted in a solid, data-driven technical process? Yes, please.

Placement day analysis pinpoints real savings generated by avoiding child welfare placements or reducing lengths of stay. As a result, this approach can be used to uncover fiscal trends; compare and forecast costs as new programs are considered; and track expected versus actual costs and savings.

Findings & Stats

Statements & Quotations