Cost-benefit Assesment of Delinquency Prevention in Pennsylvania

    Over the last 10 years, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) funded evidence-based prevention programs which were implemented in over 120 communities. 

The Prevention Center at Penn State examined the return on investment of seven of these research-based programs supported by the PCCD. They determinded that not only did these prevention programs pay for themselves, but actually represented a potential $317 million return to the Commonwealth in terms of reduced corrections costs, welfare and social services burden, drug and mental health treatments, and increased employment and tax revenue.

Botvin LifeSkills Training showed the highest per dollar return yielding more the $25 for every dollar invested. An estimated 20,000 Pennsylvania middle school students currently receive the Botvin LifeSkills Training program at approximately 100 sites statewide.

Federal funding for prevention has declined dramatically over the past few years and schools are finding it more and more difficult to fund prevention programs. All the more reason for communities and schools to use their prevention funds wisely. During these difficult economic times, it is important to choose programs that have the potential to pay for themselves through crucial cost savings.

SAMHSA Announces the Winners of the 2008 Science and Service Awards

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently announced the winners of its prestigious 2008 Science and Service Awards, which recognizes exemplary implementation of evidence-based programs by community organizations and coalitions nationwide.

Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) is an integral component of several recipients in the Substance Abuse Prevention category. NY’s Broom County Mental Health Department and Ohio’s Wood County Educational Service Center have been implementing LST to prevent substance abuse and promote healthy choices among their youth. Administrators say these award winners are “blazing the trail” to show how it can be done.

Comprehensive tests and evaluations show increased knowledge about decision-making amongst youth, a reduction in risk factors and an increase in protective factors.

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We’ll be updating the page regularly with new posts, funding opportunities, prevention news and details of all the upcoming events we’ll be attending.

This continues our commitment to bring evidence-based prevention programs to schools, families, and communities just like yours! We strive to keep you informed of all the latest information and provide you with yet another way to give us feedback and stay connected.

Click the “Find Us on Facebook” button on the right and check out our page! Become a fan, and let us know what other content you’d like us to provide.

Top 5 Tips for Parents from the Botvin LifeSkills Training Program

1. Make a point of talking with your children every day. Find time for both family and one-on-one talks. Plan your day so conversations can happen regularly, such as while eating family meals together.  When your child wants to discuss something, make sure you listen carefully.  If you can, stop whatever else you are doing so your child knows you are really listening.

2. Keep in mind that your habits influence your child. Research tell us that as they grow up, children tend to develop the same smoking, drinking, or drug use habits as their parents.

3. Have rules that spell out your expectations for your child. As much as possible, use “Do’s” rather than “Don’ts.”

4. Tell kids about the bad things that can happen now. Always let kids know that there are immediate and short-term risks to using substances.  Adolescents are more likely to be concerned with things that can affect their lives now, rather than the distnat future (for example, say that smoking can affect one’s performance on a sports team, rather than that smoking may eventually cause cancer).

5. Be a good listener. Ask questions to encourage your child to talk. Ask their opinion about things. Show that you are willing to listen. You do not have to agree with everything your kids say, but listen irst and give your opinion second. This way your kids will know they can talk with you about anything, including drugs and other problems.