A Benefit-Cost Analysis of BackTrack, a Multi-Component, Community-Based Intervention for High-Risk Young People in a Rural Australian Setting

Abstract

BackTrack is a multi-component, community-based program designed to build capacity amongst high-risk young people. The aim of this study was to conduct a benefit-cost analysis of BackTrack, which was implemented in Armidale, a rural town in New South Wales, Australia. Costs and benefits were identified, measured and valued in 2016 Australian dollars. Costs were estimated from program financial and administrative records. Benefits were estimated using a pre-post design and conservative economic assumptions. Benefits included education attendance or completion; employment; engagement with health service providers; reduced homelessness; economic productivity; reduced vandalism to local infrastructure; reduced youth crime; reduced engagement with the justice system; and program income generated by participants. The counterfactual baseline was zero educational outcome, based on discussions with BackTrack staff and expert informants. We tested this assumption compared to the assumption that participants had a Year 8 education. There was evidence of significant quantifiable improvements in several outcomes: high school attendance or completion, vocational education attendance or completion, unskilled or vocationally qualified employment and economic productivity. Reduced homelessness, engagement with health services and acquisition of job readiness skills, as well as reduced local infrastructure vandalism and reduced crime were further quantifiable improvements. The net social benefit of BackTrack was estimated at $3,267,967 with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.03, meaning that every dollar invested in BackTrack would return $2.03 in benefits. BackTrack represents a viable funding option for a government interested in addressing the needs of high-risk young people.

Wellness in work - supporting people in work and assisting people to return to the workforce: An economic evidence review

“…A cost -benefit analysis on the ADTRAC programme showed a cost benefit ratio of £1.11 benefit for each £1 invested (Burgess et al, 2021). A similar study called BackTrack conducted in a rural Australian setting found evidence of significant quantifiable improvements in several outcomes: high school attendance or completion, vocational education attendance or completion, unskilled or vocationally qualified employment and economic productivity as well as reduced homelessness, engagement with health services, acquisition of job readiness skills, as well as reduced local infrastructure vandalism and reduced crime (Deeming et al, 2022). In the BackTrack study, ‘high risk’ was defined as the increased likelihood of criminal activity, lack of employment, mental health issues, alcohol and substance abuse and lack of engagement with the health care system.…”

“…Employment-related benefits of the intervention included educational attendance or completion of education, increased employment, and economic productivity. The analysis of the BackTrack intervention produced a net social benefit of $3,267,967, with a return on investment (ROI) of $2.03 for every $1 invested (Deeming et al, 2022). Both ADTRAC and BackTrack aim to address the needs of high-risk young people.…”