The full cost of designing, implementing and evaluating Adult Connections during the five year research project was $2,512,731.
- Children’s Home + Aid staffing costs for the five‐year period, including fringe were, 54.4% of the total project costs ($1,365,771)
- Sub-contracted program services, including supportive employment, represented 15.8% of the total project costs ($397,820)
- Research and evaluation represented 8.8% of total expenses ($220,000)
- Conference travel and participation as required by the funder accounted for 1.7% ($43,634) of total expenses
- Occupancy costs incurred represented 1.5% of the budget ($37,303)
- Travel and mileage for staff to meet with participants 1.4% of the budget ($34,685)
- Supplies and materials accounted for 0.7% of total operating budget ($17,283)
Using the total number of dollars spent ($2,512,731) and the average number of hours of service provided per youth or young person (2,293 hours), we determined that the cost per youth, per hour was $220. The average number of hours of service was 23 hours per youth.
The average yearly operating program budget was $451,534. As the program model was adjusted, several cost reductions were made. Specifically, Peer Connections was no longer a unique program requiring the support of a full-time employee. Further, the planning period was critical to the development of program materials, including assessment tools, training guides, program manuals and database expansion. Although each required slight adjustments over time, the cost associated with that work was greatly reduced.
At this time, both the Mentoring and Supportive Employment programs are run by smaller teams at a cost of less than $160,000 per year. The smaller team consists of 1 FTE Mentoring Specialist, 1 FTE Job Support Specialist, externship stipends for up to six youth and administrative supports. The programs are able to support approximately 32 youth per year.
Replication of the Adult Connections program model must anticipate increased start-up costs in order to revise program materials to the unique population, as well as consider any costs associated with equipment, evaluation and technical assistance.
At this time, Children’s Home + Aid and Kaleidoscope have been able sustain Success Coaching and Supportive Employment through private philanthropy, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’ employment and therapeutic foster care contracts.
