Program evaluation has supported this multifaceted approach in multiple countries and settings.83 Analyses by Nobel Prize — winning economist James Heckman reveal that
early prevention activities targeted toward disadvantaged children have high rates of economic returns, much higher than remediation efforts later in
childhood or adult life.84 For example, the Perry Preschool Program showed an average rate of return of $ 8.74 for every dollar invested in
early childhood education.85 Targeted
interventions foster protective factors, including responsive,
nurturing, cognitively stimulating, consistent, and stable parenting by either birth parents or other consistent adults.