Findings Show a $9.19 ROI and Nearly $410 Million in Cost Savings

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, prior to Florida’s annual Children’s Week beginning Sun., Feb. 25, the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services (Florida Network) announced the findings of a new report, developed by Analytic Initiatives, LLC, that showed a $9.19 return on investment (ROI) for every $1 Florida invests in the nonprofit organization’s Children and Families in Need of Services (CINS/FINS) programs, and a nearly $410 million cost savings for the state, as a direct result of these services, from January 2022 through June 2023.

For over 45 years, the Florida Network and its 27 member agencies across the state have provided these CINS/FINS prevention and early intervention services – which are codified in Ch. 984, F.S. and funded by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice – to vulnerable youth and families in all of Florida’s 67 counties, with the goal of preventing crises from becoming catastrophes.

Florida Network of Youth and Family Services President and CEO Stacy Gromatski, Ed.S. said, “The Florida Network is driven by the ideal that Florida is a safe place where all young people can reach their full potential. We are thrilled this report demonstrates our commitment to that vision and doing the best, most impactful work possible with the resources we are given – particularly taxpayer dollars. We thank Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their support and encourage them to once again prioritize a level of investment that will allow us to maintain the critical services we provide statewide.”

Analytic Initiatives, LLC CEO Michael T. Baglivio, Ph.D. said, “For nearly 20 years, I have evaluated the effectiveness of juvenile justice reform initiatives in order to promote data-driven decision-making across the country. I can confidently say our findings are notable both because of the Florida Network’s considerable influence on Florida’s youth and families, along with the significant economic benefit to the state.”

Florida Network of Youth and Family Services Board Chair Dennis Jones said, “I have seen firsthand the positive, often life-saving impact of Florida Network services on struggling youth and families, and this report only further emphasizes the value of the state’s continued investment in such critical work.”

Lutheran Services of Florida Chief Operating Officer and former Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll said, “This work is rewarding in and of itself, but to now know that the Florida Network and its member agencies, like mine, are actually increasing the state’s bottom line makes all of us feel especially proud and is a testament to the commitment and hard work of our staff caring for our youth every day.”

For more information about the Florida Network and to access the full report, please click here.

About The Florida Network of Youth and Family Services

The Florida Network of Youth and Family Services (Florida Network) is a nonprofit statewide association representing 27 member agencies that serve homeless, runaway and troubled youth ages six and older and their families. For more than 40 years, the Florida Network has provided prevention and early intervention services as a “Children and Families in Need of Services” (CIN/FINS) agency, as defined by Florida Statute, in order to prevent juvenile delinquency and encourage good choices and healthy family relationships. For more information, please visit www.floridanetwork.org.