The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has partnered with the Center for Technology in Government (CTG/SUNY Albany) to create a data collection strategy for the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) reporting system. The NYTD is a national effort to meet a data collection mandate included in the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program of the Social Security Act.

Unlike other data collection and reporting requirements from ACF that focus on using administrative data, the NYTD requires getting some answers directly from youth who turn 17 while in foster care.

Youth turning 17 in foster care across the country are being asked to participate. The NYTD offers an opportunity for youth to provide basic information about their employment, education, health care situation, and other services received.

The mandate is on the state governments, not on the youth themselves. Therefore, youth participation in the NYTD is voluntary. However, our goal is to provide every youth with an opportunity to be heard! Please visit "About the NYTD" for more information.