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The Power of Measuring Social Benefits

The Power of Measuring Social Benefits is a $35 million policy research initiative that seeks to test the hypothesis that effective social policies that invest in individuals in need or at risk not only improve their life chances, but in many instances benefit the larger society and generate public returns long after assistance has ended.  

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January 31, 2013 - From The Field
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Mississippi to Adopt System to Measure Spending Effectiveness

Mississippi officials are adopting an approach that is designed to help states assess the costs and benefits of policy options and specific programs and use that data to make budget decisions based on results Read More
January 16, 2013 - Twitter

.@clarionledger: #Miss. adopts system to measure the benefit each dollar of public spending creates http://t.co/Xo9ee4Kh @pewtrusts

January 10, 2013 - Publication
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Assessing the Effect of Social Benefits

The December 2012 issue of the Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis (JBCA) explores whether government programs that benefit individuals improve the broader well-being of society. Read More
June 28, 2012 - From The Field

Foundation's Results First Work Informs OMB Evidence-Based Initiative

The Foundation's work to support the use of benefit-cost analysis tools to help states provide the best outcomes for citizens while improving fiscal health is influencing policy. Read More
June 7, 2012 - From The Field
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Better Results, Lower Costs in Washington State

This brief by Results First, a joint initiative of MacArthur and the Pew Center on the States, highlights how Washington state has applied effectively cost-benefit analysis to criminal justice programs. Read More
June 7, 2012 - From The Field
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Helping States Make Informed Policy Choices

Results First, a joint initiative of MacArthur and the Pew Center on the States, is helping states assess the costs and benefits of policy options and use that data to make decisions based on the results. Read More
September 22, 2011 - In The Media

"Bang for the Buck: September 2011"

From the National Conference of State Legislatures
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July 19, 2011 - In The Media

The Value of Medicaid

From the New York Times Read More
August 1, 2009 - Publication

Strengthening Policy through Research

Long before the current recession, rising deficits, an aging population, spiraling healthcare and entitlement costs, stagnant economic growth, and other issues were threatening America's long-term fiscal health. Read More
July 24, 2009 - Video
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Identifying Social Programs that Work

MacArthur is funding 20 studies to evaluate the effectiveness of social programs, including Foundations of Learning, an intervention to help pre-schoolers become better students.

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