Tobacco and E-Cigarette Prevention: What Works?

The 2014 Washington State Legislature directed WSIPP to identify programs and policies that can decrease tobacco and e-cigarette use and yield the greatest return on investment. WSIPP employed its standard approach to reviewing research evidence and conducting benefit-cost analysis.

We identified 40 topics with research of sufficient rigor to allow us to draw conclusions about effectiveness. Of the 40, we found that 33 produce, on average, reductions in tobacco use. We identified a few programs that have undesirable effects on outcomes.

Our findings apply to tobacco prevention and cessation strategies. For e-cigarettes, unfortunately, we were unable to locate any rigorous evaluations that measure the impact of prevention strategies. In this report we summarize state regulations as of October 2014 related to e-cigarettes.

Washington's Residential Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative: Recidivism & Cost Analysis

The 2014 Washington State Legislature directed the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to examine the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative (DOSA) for offenders sentenced to residential treatment in the community.

Residential DOSA was created by the 2005 Legislature as an alternative to prison for offenders with substance abuse problems. When ordered by a court, an offender’s sentence is reduced in exchange for completing chemical dependency treatment.

When possible, WSIPP conducts benefit-cost analysis to understand the long-term impacts of policies. In addition to residential DOSA’s effect on recidivism, research indicates that crime is avoided through confinement, known as “incapacitation.” We cannot empirically estimate the extent to which a residential treatment facility itself incapacitates offenders. Thus, we are unable to determine the degree to which the benefits from the favorable recidivism reduction of residential DOSA would be offset by the increased costs of non-confinement.

Outcome Evaluation of Washington State's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program

The 2013 Washington State Legislature directed the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) to conduct an outcome evaluation of Washington State's early childhood education and assistance program (ECEAP). The program provides educational instruction, as well as family support and health and nutrition services, to preschool-aged children from low-income families.

WSIPP developed a statistical model to determine whether attending ECEAP had any impact on student academic outcomes. We found that ECEAP has a positive impact on third, fourth, and fifth grade test scores. This is our final report for WSIPP's 2013 legislative ECEAP assignment; to view the initial report click here.

Family Assessment Response in Washington's Child Protective Services: Interim Report

The Washington State Institute for Public Policy was directed by the 2012 Legislature to evaluate the Family Assessment Response by December 1, 2016. In this interim report we provide a brief background on the new system, describe the way the model is being implemented in Washington State, and outline our evaluation approach.

The final report was published in November 2017.

Performance-Based Contracting for Family Support and Related Services: Preliminary Report

The 2009 Washington State Legislature directed the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to evaluate the extent to which new contracting arrangement within DSHS increased the use of evidence-based, research-based, and promising practices and whether it has improved outcomes for children. In this preliminary report, we provide a brief legislative history and synopsis of recent developments in DSHS’ movement toward implementing performance-based contracting.
The original legislation required a final report due June 30, 2016. The 2016 Legislature amended WSIPP's assignment by extending the final report date to April 1, 2023. The 2018 Legislature repealed several laws related to performance-based contracting, including WSIPP's final report.

Preventive Oral Health Interventions: A Review of the Evidence

The Washington State Institute for Public Policy's (WSPP)Board of Directors authorized WSIPP to work on a joint project of the MacArthur Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts to extend WSIPP’s benefit-cost analysis to certain public health, health care, and other topics.

WSIPP conducted literature reviews on five dental topics: fluoride varnish, sealants, community water fluoridation, mid-level dental providers, and preventive dental visits. We found sufficient rigorous evaluations to analyze the effect of three of the five oral health interventions on tooth decay: fluoride varnish, sealants, and community water fluoridation.

Preventing and Treating Youth Marijuana Use: An Updated Review of the Evidence

Initiative 502, passed by Washington voters in November 2012, legalized recreational cannabis use for adults in the state. The initiative directs WSIPP to evaluate the policy in a series of reports between 2015 and 2032.

As part of this assignment, we reviewed the evaluation literature on 23 youth marijuana prevention and treatment programs. This review updates an earlier report that focused on a subset of the programs; to view the initial report click here.

Updated Inventory of Evidence- and Research-Based Practices: Washington's K‑12 Learning Assistance Program

Washington State provides funding to school districts to help underachieving students through the Learning Assistance Program (LAP). The 2013 Washington State Legislature directed the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to prepare an inventory of evidence-based and research-based effective practices, activities, and programs for use by school districts in LAP and to update the inventory each two years thereafter.

This report describes the updated inventory of evidence-based and research-based practices for use in LAP.

Preventing Youth Substance Use: A Review of Thirteen Programs

Initiative 502, passed by Washington voters in November 2012, legalized recreational marijuana use for adults in the state. The initiative directed WSIPP to evaluate the policy by considering benefits and costs across a number of key areas including public health, public safety, and criminal justice.

As part of this assignment, we reviewed the evaluation literature on 13 youth prevention programs. These programs are on the state Department of Behavioral Health and Recovery’s preliminary list of evidence-based programs with marijuana prevention outcomes.

To view an update to this report, please click here.

Updated Inventory of Evidence-Based, Research-Based, and Promising Practices for Prevention and Intervention Services for Children and Juveniles in Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, and Mental Health Systems

Inventory of Evidence-Based, Research-Based, and Promising Practices
For Prevention and Intervention Services for Children and Juveniles
in the Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, and Mental Health Systems

The 2012 Legislature passed E2SHB 2536 with the intention that “prevention and intervention services delivered to children and juveniles in the areas of mental health, child welfare, and juvenile justice be primarily evidence-based and research-based, and it is anticipated that such services will be provided in a manner that is culturally competent.”

The bill directs the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) and the University of Washington Evidence-Based Practice Institute (UW) to publish descriptive definitions and prepare an inventory of evidence-based, research-based, and promising practices and services, and to periodically update the inventory as more practices are identified. This is the fourth update to the September 30, 2012 publication. The accompanying report describes the inventory update process, as well as the ongoing technical assistance process by UW.