Generate Savings to Reinvest in What Works
Research shows states spend smarter when they
re-invest resources from remedial, “deep end,” or last resort interventions to prevention-based strategies. For example, reinvestment strategies shift costs from in-patient treatment, detention, and other restrictive and costly forms of out-home placement to evidence-based in-home and community alternatives
What Can Policymakers Do?
· Reinvest in Family Reunification for Children in Foster Care
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The Maryland Opportunity Compact is a reinvestment approach developed by the State of Maryland in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Using foundation funding as seed money to develop a family treatment drug court and services for parents with substance abuse disorders, the initiative was able to reduce the time children spent if foster care and achieve a positive return on the initial investment.
· Reinvest in Permanent Guardianship for Children in Foster Care
. Illinois offered subsidized guardianship as an option to relatives caring for children who could not return home or be adopted. The state documented savings of $2,294 per child and reinvested $90 million in additional guardianship subsidies and other unmet child welfare needs.
· Reinvest in Juvenile Detention Alternatives
. Multnomah County, Oregon used community supervision to close three 16-bed detention units, redirecting 12 million in savings to detention alternatives.