A propensity score matched pair outcome evaluation of a parenting program for dually involved youth

ABSTRACT The Family First Prevention and Services Act (FFPSA) has created a major policy shift in how services are delivered in the US child welfare system. There is now an increased emphasis and incentive for states to focus on preventing children from entering the foster care system and the juvenile justice system. In addition, the FFPSA has created rigorous standards for evidence around these prevention services. We analyzed juvenile justice outcome data for the Family First parenting program for youth who started Families First between 2007 and2012. Youth in the program were matched to a comparison sample of court-supervised youth in the same time period using a propensity score-matched pair design. We found that youth enrolled in Families First had significantly fewer misdemeanor and felony charges than youth in the comparison group 12 months after the start (54% less) and end of the program (55% less). There were mixed findings for reductions in status and technical offenses. Our results suggest that the Families First model can be an effective intervention strategy for reducing recidivism in youth that are involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.