Using benefit-cost analysis to assess child abuse prevention and intervention programs.

Benefits and costs are discussed when child abuse prevention and intervention programs are proposed and evaluated, but systemic benefit-cost analysis as developed by economists has not been applied to such programs. This article presents the case for using benefit-cost analysis to structure evaluations of child abuse prevention and intervention programs. It presents the basic concept of benefit-cost analysis, its application in the context of assessing these types of child welfare programs, and limitations on its application to social service programs.