NYTD

The National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) is a federal initiative, started in 2010, that aims to determine if transition-age-youth services are adequately preparing and supporting youth during the transition from foster care to adulthood.

To do this, we survey groups of young people experiencing foster care three times—at age 17, 19, and 21— to see what services they use or need. The survey includes questions about life and experiences such as education, employment status, support network, and plans for the future. It also asks questions about financial assistance and health insurance. With this information, we can learn how to better support young adults and their successful transition to adulthood.

Youth participants are standing up for change when they decide to use their voice and experiences to make the foster care system better and more supportive for future youth.

In Massachusetts, NYTD is run as a collaboration between Massachusetts Network of Foster Care Alumni (MassNFCA) and the Department of Children and Families.

Starting October 1, 2024, we are surveying 19-year-olds who took the survey when they were 17, and who have birthdays between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006.

Are you turning 19 between October 2024 and September 2025? Did you complete the NYTD survey at age 17? Contact us to take the NYTD survey and receive $25 for your participation!