Hi there. Is it true that there are multiple program evaluation results supporting that early prevention programs that target at-risk youth groups can produce significantly higher returns on investment than interventions focused on their problem behavior?

Welcome.

Thank you for the information.

Yes. For example, Manning, Smith, and Homel (2013) use an approach that allows one to value improvements in individual well-being from developmental crime prevention projects by collecting preference rankings. The method provides an expert group, who will be asked to make these pairwise comparisons, with results from a meta-analytic review of impacts derived from the empirical literature. Using this technique they found that a structured preschool program that incorporates family intervention and support was the most preferred option to reduce youth crime.

You may try reading this article:
Manning, M., Homel, R. & Smith, C. (2006). Economic evaluation of a community based early intervention program implemented in a disadvantaged urban area of Queensland. Economic Analysis and Policy, 36, 1-21.