Foster Youth and the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD)

The NYTD system is an attempt to document findings of outcomes for youth in transition receiving funded services. States receive funds from the Federal Government to provide support services in eleven broad categories. States are then obligated to report on six areas of outcomes through the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). An encrypted identification number is used to ensure each participating youth is accounted for in the system. This unique identifier allows the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to analyze a youth’s experience in the foster care system. Failure by states to adequately participate in this program impacts Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) funds by reducing the amount between 1 and 5%. Are states simply trading off this small percentage penalty and ignoring reporting requirements?

The goal of the program is laudable – ensure foster youth are being prepared to emancipate while ensuring states are using funding for worthwhile and measurable programs. Many state level ILS coordinators are quick to admit privately that they are not meeting their goals with the result being a failure to support these youth. Perhaps this explains some of the frightening statistics regarding emancipated youth: 25% incarceration rate within 2 years, 42% become parents within 4 years of exiting, 50% experience high rates of unemployment while most earn less than others in their age group, less than 50% complete high school, and fewer than 1% graduate from college of the 10% who enroll.

Is this a systemic failure of the entire foster program effort or an indication that the wrong priorities are being set for scarce CFCIP funds? Perhaps both since states are facing budget crunches too resulting in fewer employees to manage large numbers of youth while suffering from a lack of resources to offer youth. Are there cost-effective solutions? Technology can be one stabilizing addition to any program. If one considers how often some youth are moved between homes while in care it is not surprising to see poor education statistics such as those mentioned previously. Even something most of us take for granted can be an inhibitor – transportation. If a youth can’t obtain transportation to participate in programs how are they going to be exposed to information they need to succeed?

A technology solution can be a good fit for some youth. An online high school moves with the student guaranteeing the student an opportunity to obtain a diploma. One very important consideration is to ensure the program is accredited and that an actual diploma is awarded – not just a GED. It can be difficult to cover all independent living skills a youth may need however there are now online ILS programs available that cover all pertinent skill topic areas. Ensure the online ILS program has a learning management system that captures participation and completion data.  This is very important for tracking participants and measuring success rate data. Since virtually all teens are technology savvy a technology solution to their education needs is worth considering.