The cost-effectiveness of utilizing evidence-based programs available through the Redirection project proves itself time and time again. But most impressive, is the fact that this project has reached another milestone. During the past quarter, the Redirection project served its 6,000 youth – continuing to positively impact thousands of families around the state of Florida.
This innovative, award-winning project for offending youth offers a solution that has consistently produced positive results (i.e., reduced felony adjudications and reduced commitment in the adult system) while at the same time demonstrating cost-savings to Florida of more than $51 million in the first four years of operation. The project is evaluated each year by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) and has received legislative reauthorization annually based on its positive results.
The Florida Legislature and the Department of Juvenile Justice partnered together to create Redirection as a pilot project in 2004 to address two significant problems the state faced: 1) the high rate of incarceration of youth, especially youth with non-law violations (i.e., violations of probation); and 2) the less than optimal implementation of evidence-based programs across the state. Prior to Redirection, the state of Florida funded four evidence-based programs [two Functional Family Therapy (FFT) and two Multisystemic Therapy (MST) teams] but struggled to monitor implementation, quality, utilization and return on investment.
EBA was brought on board in 2004 to oversee the implementation of Redirection. With EBA in a project management role, Redirection began with the four existing teams and less than 200 youth per year expected to enroll in the program. Under EBA’s leadership, Redirection has grown in capacity each year and now serves nearly 1,400 youth per year and most notably, has served more than 6,000 youth since inception. To follow the progress of the Redirection project, visit EBA’s website.