The Department's revised Program Accountability Index addresses a number of the design limitations of the draft cost-effectiveness index.
However, the rank order of Program Accountability Index scores provides inadequate information for making policy or funding decisions. The reduction of program data to a single number presents methodological problems and results in a loss of information.
The data used to compute the index scores could be used to rate programs by their cost and effectiveness. With the current database it is possible to compare expenditures and recidivism rates for programs grouped by the criminal history of program youth.
We recommend that the Department continue to work with the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board to improve the reliability of program data. We also recommend that the Department continue to work with the Board and program providers to improve program cost and outcome measures.

Review of the Draft Juvenile Justice Cost-Effectiveness Index
Report 95-52 April 1996

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.