National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD): Adapting New Project Management Strategies

Background and Purpose: This study examines preliminary results and project management of the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) project. NYTD is a Federal reporting system designed to track youth and the independent living services they receive from states as they prepare to transition out of the foster care system. In 2019, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (AZDCS) began a partnership with the Arizona State University (ASU) Center for Child Well-being (CCWB) and the ASU Child Welfare Education Program to survey foster youth who were transitioning into adulthood. All youth who turned 17 between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020 and who were in foster care at the time of their 17th birthday were eligible to participate within 45 days after their 17th birthday. This report highlights the lessons learned during the development, management and survey administration to the first cohort that took place from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020.

Methods: The NYTD survey consisted of 27 questions including 15 federally mandated questions, and 12 questions uniquely written in partnership with the AZ DCS. Beginning October 2019 to March 2020, youth were given the option to complete the survey in-person or over the phone. Youth participation was voluntary and consent was obtained prior to administering the survey. In-person surveys involved providing the youth with a blank copy of the survey by which to follow along during the survey process. Data from the paper surveys were double entered into SPSS for quality control. In-person surveying ended with the onset of COVID-19 in March of 2020. The survey was then conducted using a Qualtrics link to the survey and all surveys were completed by surveyors remotely over the phone. Data was downloaded from Qualtrics to Excel for monthly reporting to AZ DCS and to SPSS for analysis.

Results: Of 764 total youth added to the survey sample, 479 survey interviews were completed. The mean number of attempts made to youth who were interviewed was 4.37 (2.8 SD). Fifteen youth were added to the sample after the 45-day window and 36 youth had exited care before or during the 45-day window. Thirty-nine youth declined to participate, 112 youth were designated as unable to locate, 93 youth were designated as runaway/missing, and 31 youth were designated as incapacitated.

Conclusions and Implications: While the NYTD project began in 2010, there is only a small body of literature covering approaches to the NYTD survey development, management, and administration (Bederian-Gardner et al., 2018; Fernandes-Alcantara, 2014). Additionally, much of the existing literature predates the integration of social media in outreach efforts. The successes and opportunities experienced during Arizona’s first cohort of survey administration in collaboration with CCWB may serve as a useful guide for other stakeholders in the NYTD project. Furthermore, the Covid-19 pandemic created specific challenges and opportunities including collaborating with community partners while working remotely.