Sylvie McGee, Linda Rinaldi, Debby Peterman - December 2002

The 2001 Washington State Legislature directed the Institute to “evaluate outcomes across state health and social service pilot projects and other national models involving women who have given birth to a drug-affected infant, comparing gains in positive birth outcomes for resources invested…” (Chapter 7, Section 608, Laws of 2001). This report addresses this legislation and examines five questions: (1) What is the risk of prenatal substance abuse? (2) How are key programs structured? (3) What positive birth outcomes are associated with specialized treatment programs? (4) What are the costs associated with achieving positive birth outcomes? and (5) What programs are most effective at achieving positive birth outcomes?

WSIPP - October 2002

The 2001 Washington State Legislature directed the Institute to: a) conduct a comprehensive review of the costs and benefits of existing juvenile crime prevention and intervention programs; b) consider what changes could result in more cost-effective and efficient funding for juvenile crime prevention and intervention programs presently supported with state funds; and c) report findings and recommendations to legislative fiscal and policy committees. This report is the 8-page summary of the study and contains recommendations that we believe can lead to an improved use of scarce juvenile justice resources in Washington.

Steve Aos - October 2002

In 1995, the Washington Legislature passed a law known as the “Becca Bill.”   The Becca Bill addresses several areas of public policy, including those affecting at-risk, runaway, and truant youth.  This report describes the Institute’s latest evaluation of the truancy provisions in the Becca Bill.   In passing the bill, the Legislature recognized that truancy is linked to poor academic performance, dropping out of school, substance abuse, and criminal behavior.  The legislative intent is to keep kids in school and thereby avoid some of the undesirable outcomes associated with truancy.  This report analyzes whether the truancy provisions of the Becca Bill have had an effect on one of the main goals of the Act:  keeping kids in school.

Robert Barnoski - August 2002

The 1997 Washington State Legislature established a process to implement "research based" programs in Washington State's juvenile courts. The legislature has subsequently funded four specific programs. The state Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration oversees the funding process and provides statewide training to ensure faithful adherence to each program's design. The Washington State Institute for Public Policy was directed to evaluate the programs. This report briefly describes preliminary results (12-month follow-up period) for one of the programs, Functional Family Therapy (FFT). When the FFT model is delivered competently, the program reduces felony recidivism and saves more money than it costs. The key to cost-effectiveness, however, is an accurate means to distinguish between competent and incompetent therapists, and the report makes recommendations on this finding.

Steve Lerch - August 2002

Physicians and researchers have identified several diseases and health conditions for which timely and effective outpatient health care services, such as physician office visits, can often prevent hospitalizations. This study examines whether these “avoidable hospitalizations” are a significant issue for the Washington State Medicaid program and, if so, whether it is possible to reduce them and in turn reduce state health care expenditures.

Steve Aos - July 2002

The Washington Legislature directed the Institute to evaluate the changes made during the 1997 session to the state's juvenile sentencing laws. One policy change in 1997 gave juvenile court judges more discretion to use county detention facilities for juvenile offenders not sentenced to the state. This report examines whether the use of detention affects juvenile crime rates. Cost-benefit estimates are also provided.

Robert Barnoski - July 2002

This report presents preliminary recidivism information on a mentoring program run by Washington State's Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration in the Seattle area.

Robert Barnoski - July 2002

This report presents preliminary recidivism information on Dialectic Behavior Therapy, a program run by Washington State's Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration. The program features comprehensive cognitive-behavioral treatment for individuals with complex and difficult-to-treat mental disorders.

Robert Barnoski - June 2002

The 1996 Washington State Legislature appropriated $2.35 million to 12 juvenile courts for early intervention programs targeting youth placed on probation for the first time and considered at high risk to re-offend. At the request of the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, the Washington State Institute for Public Policy evaluated the program. The primary outcome measure is whether there is a reduction in subsequent court adjudications for youth in the program. This report also examines the level of program success necessary for the state's investment to be cost-effective.

Barbara McLain, Marna Miller - June 2002

The 2001 Legislature directed the Institute to examine options for revising the state's funding formula for the Learning Assistance Program (LAP).  The report examines how state and federal dollars to assist struggling students (through state LAP and federal Title I programs) are allocated and spent by school districts.  It also analyzes the relationship between LAP, Title I, and student performance as measured by state test scores.  Three sample alternative funding formulas for LAP are offered for consideration.