CSC News: Investing in Children’s Services Council Provides Significant Economic Return, Study Finds

Palm Beach County saw an estimated $6 return for every $1 Children’s Services Council invested in local children and families, according to a 10-year analysis by an external research consultant.

“The findings show that CSC Palm Beach Children’s Services Tax has generated substantial, measurable economic value over the past 10 fiscal years,” reported Partner for Better, the Missouri-based nonprofit that conducted the evaluation and analysis.

Established 40 years ago by Palm Beach County voters, Children’s Services Council is an independent, local government – created by the community, for the community – to improve the lives of local children and families. CSC is funded with property taxes, with 93% of its budget supporting programs and services for children and families. CSC is one of the largest funders of programs for children in Palm Beach County. Last year alone, programs funded by CSC reached more than 183,000 children.

“This study confirms the value Children’s Services Council continues to bring to Palm Beach County,” said Lisa Williams-Taylor, CEO of Children’s Services Council. “The programs and services we fund today ensure local children and families get the support they need to thrive now and in the future. This kind of long-range approach benefits us all by building a safer, healthier and more stable community.”

Researchers at Partner for Better found that over the 10-year period, Palm Beach County saw an estimated $6.7 billion in economic benefits associated with CSC's investments. The analysis used the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) cost-benefit model as its foundation. This widely recognized national framework estimates a program's effect on outcomes such as crime, education, child maltreatment and health, then assigns dollar values to those outcome changes.

The researchers determined the benefit-cost ratio for four funding categories, which ranged from $2.60 to $8.19 in return for every $1 invested. The range reflects differences in program design, participant volume, the breadth of the research base, and whether any budget adjustments were required.

The results by funding category are as follows:

•    Healthy Beginnings: Services that support healthy pregnancies, positive birth outcomes and young children’s development. This category saw a return of $8.19 for every $1 invested.
•    Quality Child Care: Child care, afterschool and summer camp programming. This category saw a return of $5.14 for every $1 invested.
•    Initiatives: An array of programs, from safety initiatives to mentoring, that strengthen families and support children’s healthy growth and development. This category saw a return of $4.41 for every $1 invested.
•    BRIDGES: Neighborhood hubs that support families raising young children, located in 10 traditionally under-resourced communities. This category saw a return of $2.60 for every $1 invested.

For each CSC funding category, Partner for Better matched program data to comparable WSIPP programs, averaging estimates where more than one match existed. Where no WSIPP match was available, rigorous peer-reviewed evaluations were used. WSIPP figures, originally calculated for Washington State, were adjusted to local economic conditions using the 2024 Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities for the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area. All spending and benefit figures were adjusted to 2025 dollars using the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).

“These results go beyond dollars and cents,” Williams-Taylor said. “They mean more babies are born healthy, more children grow up safe from abuse and neglect, more preschoolers are ready to learn when they enter kindergarten and more youth graduate with the skills they need to positively contribute to our community.” 
Williams-Taylor continued by saying, “We are proud of our impact, appreciative of our providers for their dedication and thankful to Palm Beach County residents for their continued investment in our community’s children.”

To read the report or arrange an interview with CSC CEO Lisa Williams-Taylor, please contact Shana Cooper, head of public affairs, at 561-374-7570 or Shana.Cooper@cscpbc.org.