Pay now, or pay later when it comes to investing in early childhood development.
That's the conclusion and title of a recently-released report prepared by the Justice Institute of B.C. and the Vancouver Board of Trade.
The report - Pay now or pay later: Landmark Kids 'N Crime 2, economic aspect - concludes that investing in early childhood development is critical, and at an early stage, or society will be paying more later.
The report finds investing in efforts to influence positive development has proved most effective the earlier in life it begins. Dollars invested in a pre-school child will result in a much bigger return down the road than dollars put in at a later stage.
Up to five years of age has been identified as a crucial time period when a child can be influenced to either go on to lead a positive life, or to grow into youths and adults who may become involved in criminal activity.
"It's not only the right thing to do from a humanitarian point of view, but it makes good sense economically," says report author David Park, a presenter at the Community Solutions-Gang Crime Summit being held at The Ramada on Monday.
The report identifies that positive intervention can include early home visitations by specially-trained nurses, centre-based programs and early detection and remedial treatment of learning disabilities.
Continued investment, especially in programs directed to youth at risk, also has substantial positive economic impact. Key research in the U.S. shows efforts to divert youth from a life of crime at any age has a value in excess of $2 million, largely due to reduced taxpayer and crime costs.
The report explores the economic return of investing in child development and preventing criminality among youth at risk in 12 main areas, including parenting education, home visits, fetal alcohol syndrome, early childhood development, childcare and learning disabilities.
Recently, during an input session in Prince George on the province's budget deliberations, the Prince George Child Development Centre used the argument - in asking for more funding - that spending on early intervention saves money. Darrell Roze, the executive director of the Child Development Centre, said they are in dire need of funding for more early intervention therapy services, calling on the province to double funding to $61.4 million.
The centre's services are provided to children with both physical and learning disabilities, which can help these children have a better chance of entering the school system with typical abilities, Roze told the finance committee.
Spending $10,000 on a child at an early stage can help save more than $700,000 over their life time, noted Roze.
