TO: The Honorable Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Michael C. Zito, Deputy County Administrator
Cynthia Emerson, Director Community Services Department
FROM: Megan Kendrick, Human & Children Services Administrator
DATE: March 24, 2026
SUBJECT: Children Services Advisory Committee Return On Investment
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BACKGROUND
Over the past three years, the Board of County Commissioners and County leadership have prioritized children’s services by strengthening oversight, transparency, and accountability. Staff capacity has been expanded to improve program monitoring, outcome measurement, and fiscal oversight to ensure taxpayer dollars are used as effectively as possible. These efforts are producing measurable results. In 2023, 61 percent of CSAC-funded programs met all of their established outcomes. This year, that number increased to 93 percent.
During Fiscal Year 2024–2025, the Board invested approximately $3.2 million to fund 46 programs serving children and families across the county, resulting in more than 21,000 touch-points. These programs provide critical services including early childhood education, mental health support, mentoring, after school and summer enrichment, academic support, and parent capacity building.
ANALYSIS
Investing in children and families produces strong financial and societal returns. Research shows that early intervention and prevention strategies can generate returns ranging from 2.7 percent to 16 percent. Redirecting even one at-risk youth away from crime can save millions in lifetime societal costs, while high school dropout and chronic substance abuse create significant long-term public expenses. In contrast, high-quality early childhood programs for disadvantaged children have been shown to return between four and sixteen dollars for every dollar invested.
At the local level, CSAC uses a data-driven approach to guide funding decisions. The CSAC Needs Assessment analyzes thousands of data points across health, education, and community indicators. In addition, more than 620 families completed the most recent community survey, providing a 95 percent confidence level. Ninety-nine percent of respondents supported maintaining or increasing children’s services that provide after school and summer enrichment, academic support, real-life skill development, and mental health services.
CSAC-funded agencies report progress quarterly, participate in site visits, and receive ongoing professional development designed to strengthen program quality and outcomes. In fact, 100 percent of funded agencies participated in professional development this year, with 93 percent reporting they are implementing new strategies to strengthen their programs.
Identifying the right needs at the local level is the first step in ensuring that investments are directed where they will have the greatest impact. As programs become stronger and more data driven, the impact on children and families grows. Strengthening program quality, accountability, and performance ultimately leads to a stronger return on investment for the community and ensures taxpayer dollars are producing measurable results.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
There are no changes to the approved funding for the Children’s Services Advisory Committee at this time.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
The Board acknowledged the return on investment for children’s programs on March 25, 2025
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
Future annual presentations on the CSAC Return on Investment
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Quality of Life
OTHER PLAN ALIGNMENT
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Board accept the Staff Report on the return on investment for children’s programs.