Delivering an empowerment intervention to a remote Indigenous child safety workforce: Its economic cost from an agency perspective. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kinchin, Irina; Doran, Christopher M.; McCalman, Janya; Jacups, Susan; Tsey, Komla; Lines, Katrina; Smith, Kieran; Searles, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Evaluation and program planning. Volume 64(2017)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: FWB family wellbeing program -- GEM growth and empowerment measure -- SD standard deviation; Program cost(s) -- Cost(s) description -- Family wellbeing (FWB) program -- Remote workforce training -- Aboriginal and torres strait islander people; Health planning -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; 362.1068
• DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2017.05.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7189

Abstract

Highlights: This study serves as a stepping-stone to future research in the field of economic evaluation of empowerment interventions. The total cost of delivering the FWB program for 66 participants is $182, 588 ($2766 per participant), with 45% ($82, 995) of costs classified as indirect (i.e., opportunity cost of participants time). Program delivery within the work-based communities alone (not in regional centers) would reduce the cost per participant by 30% (on average). Culturally appropriate trainings, designed and delivered with the community consultation, engagement and partnership are crucial in developing and supporting Indigenous workforce. Abstract: Background: The Family Wellbeing (FWB) program applies culturally appropriate community led empowerment training to enhance the personal development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in life skills. This study sought to estimate the economic cost required to deliver the FWB program to a child safety workforce in remote Australian communities. Method: This study was designed as a retrospective cost description taken from the perspective of a non-government child safety agency. The target population were child protection residential care workers aged 24 or older, who worked in safe houses in five remote Indigenous communities and a regional office during the study year (2013). Resource utilization included direct costs (personnel and administrative) and indirect or opportunity costs of participants, regarded as absence from work. Results: The total cost of delivering the FWB program for 66 participants was $182, 588 ($2766 per participant), with 45% ($82, 995) of costs classified as indirect (i.e., opportunity cost of participants time). Training cost could be further mitigated (∼30%) if offered on-site, in the community. The costs for offering the FWB program to a remotely located workforce were high, but not substantial when compared to the recruitment cost required to substitute a worker in remote settings. Conclusion: An investment of $2766 per participant created an opportunity to improve social and emotional wellbeing of remotely located workforce. This cost study provided policy relevant information by identifying the resources required to transfer the FWB program to other remote locations. It also can be used to support future comparative cost and outcome analyses and add to the evidence base around the cost-effectiveness of empowerment programs.