Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of First Step Next for Preschoolers with Social-Emotional Needs

• Published in: Research on social work practice Vol. 34; no. 8; pp. 902 - 911
• Main Authors: Frey, Andy J., Small, Jason W., Zhang, Bixi, Bates, Samantha, Kuklinski, Margaret R., Walker, Hill M., Feil, Edward G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.11.2024; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Academic achievement; Behavior problems; Clinical trials; Cost analysis; Costs; Effectiveness; Intervention; Preschool children; Students; preschool; social and behavioral outcomes; Cost-effectiveness; first step next; tier 2 intervention
• ISSN: 1049-7315; 1552-7581
• DOI: 10.1177/10497315231208400

Purpose: Few cost-effectiveness studies have been conducted on social-emotional interventions for students in preschool settings. The current study is a cost-effectiveness analysis of the First Step Next (FSN) intervention for preschool students. Method: Our approach involved a secondary analysis of a randomized control trial that utilized the ingredients method to estimate costs (Levin & McEwan, 2001). In addition, effect sizes were used to generate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios representing the cost of improving student outcomes by one standard deviation (1 SD). Results: FSN was more cost-effective for improving behavior in the school setting than in the home setting, with an average cost per 1 SD improvement of $3,833 and $6,329, respectively. Additionally, the intervention had greater cost-effectiveness for social skill-related outcomes than problem behavior-related outcomes among preschool students. Discussion: This study advances our understanding of the costs and outcomes of practices designed to improve the school success of our youngest learners.