Cost Effectiveness of Life Skills

by Rod Paynter

(originally published in Volume 1, Number 6 of the CALSCA Newsletter, October, 1994, as 'Rod Paynter Reports')

"In 1977, the Life Skills Training Centres, Ltd., in Edmonton (the employer of coaches) and the Canadian Mental Health Association (the funding agency) published in the Social Worker Advocate the results of a longitudinal study. The purpose of the study was to establish the long term monetary efficiency of Life Skills Programming. All Social Assistance dependent students from four groups voluntarily took part in a 2 - 3 year follow up study. Prior to their involvement with Life Skills, the 37 participants had received Social Assistance for an average of 3.5 years each.

Groups 1 and 2 with a total of 21 participating in the study, showed an overall decrease in social assistance payments of 68% in the three years after graduating. Group 3 with 10 participating over 2..5 years, showed an overall decrease of 69%. Group 4 involving six students, had an 87% decrease over two years. 5 students were independent of social assistance for the entire three years. Cost of tuition for 37 students was less than 6% of money saved over the period of study."

Rod rightly points out that there was no control group in the study and I would also add that the sample is extremely small to make any hard and fast calculations or generalizations. But that is no reason why the results should not be used to justify Life Skills in funding proposals...

Rod asks if someone is available to do a controlled study. I would further add that Social Science and Humanities Research monies could be accessed because Life Skills is now a recognized part of educational programs. Moreover, a comparative study across provinces would undoubtedly follow any initial study. A three year project is most suitable for SSHRC grants, with the individual well qualified in quantitative techniques. Good luck!!!