National Youth In Transition Database Association for Criminal Justice Research March 25, 2010 Shay O’Brien, Center for Public Policy Research, UC Davis

WHO ARE WE? The Center for Public Policy Research (CPPR) CPPR at the University of California, Davis serves state government and academic institutions. We conduct research to bring science to policy. We draw on the expertise of faculty and researchers at UC Davis and throughout the UC/CSU system. Mission: To inform public policy through rigorous research and conscientious, impartial analysis of issues.

CPPRCPPR Core CPPR Research Staff Gail S. Goodman, Ph.D.—Professor & Director of CPPR Michael J. Lawler, MSW, Ph.D.—Co-Director of CPPR Rudy Haapanen, Ph.D.—Research Director Ingrid Cordon, Ph.D.—Quantitative Analyst Shay O’Brien, MSW—Research Writer Drika Makariev, Ph.D. Candidate—Research Analyst

TODAY’S TALK I.What is NYTD? II.Confidentiality of NYTD Information III.Baseline Survey IV.Follow-Up Survey V.How You Can Help VI.Discussion and Questions

The National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Purpose: To gather nationwide information on the recipients of foster care services who are reaching the end of their eligibility at age 18. Goal: To evaluate Chafee-funded services designed to transition youth to independent living at the national level. Secondary Goal: To provide CDSS with data and analysis for improving services to foster youth in California. WHAT IS NYTD?

NYTD consists of two types of data: Administrative Data (to be supplied by CDSS) Basic demographics Independent living services provided Youth characteristics (e.g., education level, tribal membership) Survey Data (to be collected by CPPR) Baseline Survey of outcomes at age 17 Follow-up Survey of outcomes at age 19 and 21 (for a subsample of the Baseline participants) WHAT IS NYTD?

SURVEY SCHEDULE Fiscal Year of Implementation CDSS reports Independent Living services Baseline Survey (17 yr. olds) Follow-up Survey (19 yr. olds) Follow-up Survey (21 yr. olds) Year 1XX (Cohort 1) Year 2X Year 3XX (Cohort 1) Year 4XX (Cohort 2) Year 5XX (Cohort 1) Year 6XX (Cohort 2) Year 7XX (Cohort 3) Year 8XX (Cohort 2)

On the survey, youth self-report outcomes in six areas 1.Employment and other sources of income 2.Educational attainment 3.Permanent relationships with adults 4.Housing 5.High-risk behavior 6.Access to health care Following national trends, California may elect to add additional questions or measures to address issues specifically for California. WHAT IS NYTD?

We are all deeply committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of this vulnerable population. Project staff consulted with o State of California and UCD Institutional Review Boards o CDSS legal staff, o the state foster care ombudsperson, and o the state Administrative Office of the Courts regarding appropriate safeguards for participating youth. The Foster Care Ombudsperson supports the project, and has agreed to answer questions and address concerns of participating youth or others. CONFIDENTIALITY

To be conducted by CPPR. All California youth who turn 17 while in foster care. First cohort: Birthdays between Oct 2010 and Sept Baseline Survey to be completed within 45 days of their 17 th birthdays. BASELINE SURVEY

The Importance of Broad Participation The usefulness of the survey data depends on  Representativeness  Geographic coverage. Different kinds of youth (e.g., ethnic background, reason for foster care, or length of foster care) and/or different areas of the state (e.g., rural vs. urban) may differ greatly in services and outcomes. We don’t want to hear only from the “successes” or only from those youth who are easy to reach. BASELINE SURVEY

CPPR is planning an extensive outreach program to educate and support stakeholders about NYTD. Foster youth Foster parents Families of foster youth Caseworkers and other local staff Probation officers Court personnel Efforts will involve broadcast media, mail-outs, presentations, social networking, and other online tools. We welcome your ideas and input. BASELINE SURVEY

CPPR will contact every foster youth turning 17 and encourage them to participate in the survey. Youth will be offered incentives for participation. Youth will be treated with dignity and respect. Youth may decline to answer any question. Youth will have the opportunity to contact the Foster Care Ombudsperson with questions and concerns. We want youth to feel supported in participating in the survey and to know why it is important. BASELINE SURVEY

The NYTD survey will be designed to be easily-accessed and youth-friendly. It may be completed On-line (our primary method), In groups at local social gatherings, By telephone, or In person (interviews). It will be available in English and Spanish, with additional explanation for each question. It will include sound files in both languages so that youth can listen as well as read. BASELINE SURVEY

A random sample of baseline survey participants. Follow-up surveys at age 19 and again at age % of follow-up sample must complete the surveys or California will face Chafee Fund penalties. FOLLOW-UP SURVEY

CPPR will attempt to maintain regular contact with youth in the follow-up sample. birthday cards newsletters easily accessible website CPPR will offer incentives for youth to keep in touch and to update their contact information. music downloads or other small incentives monthly raffles of larger items for youth who update or verify contact information FOLLOW-UP SURVEY

HOW YOU CAN HELP Be knowledgeable about and aware of the issues related to this important project. Discuss the purpose and procedures of NYTD with youth and other stakeholders to encourage participation. Assist youth to complete the survey as possible. Share your expertise to help us do the best job possible of completing this federally mandated project. Contact us anytime to share ideas, get more information, or pass along feedback you receive in the field.

CONTACT US Center for Public Policy Research 1632 DaVinci Court Davis, CA cppr.ucdavis.edu Gail S. Goodman, Ph.D. Michael J. Lawler, MSW, Ph.D. Rudy Haapanen, Ph.D. Shay O’Brien, MSW

MORE INFORMATION Children’s Bureau Administration for Children and Families National Resource Center for Youth Services National Resource Center for Child Welfare Data and Technology Foster Club’s NYTD page Link to the Federal Rule and other important documents

BASELINE SURVEY QUESTIONS DEMOGRAPHICS 1.Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy):__________ 2.Sex: 3. Race (check all that apply) ○ American Indian or Alaska Native (you maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment) o Asian ○ Black or African American ○ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander ○ White ○ Hispanic or Latino ○ Unknown ○ Declined

BASELINE SURVEY QUESTIONS EMPLOYMENT (Yes/No/Declined to answer) 1. Currently are you employed full-time? (35 hours/week or more) 2. Currently are you employed part-time? (34 hours/week or less) 3. In the past year, did you complete an apprenticeship, internship, or other on-the-job training, either paid or unpaid?

BASELINE SURVEY QUESTIONS OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME (Yes/No/Declined to answer) 4. Currently are you receiving social security payments (Supplemental Security Income (SSI, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or dependents' payments)? 5. Currently are you using a scholarship, grant, stipend, student loan, voucher, or other type of educational financial aid to cover any educational expenses? 6. Currently are you receiving any periodic and/or significant financial resources or support from another source not previously indicated and excluding paid employment?

BASELINE SURVEY QUESTIONS OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME (Yes/No/Declined to answer) (continued) 7. Currently are you receiving ongoing welfare payments from the government to support your basic needs (CalWorks)? 8. Currently are you receiving public food assistance? 9. Currently are you receiving any sort of housing assistance from the government, such as living in public housing or receiving a housing voucher?

BASELINE SURVEY QUESTIONS EDUCATION 10. What is the highest educational degree or certification that you have received? ○ High school diploma/GED ○ Vocational certificate ○ Vocational license ○ Associate's degree ○ Bachelor's degree ○ Higher degree ○ None of the above ○ Declined 11. Currently are you enrolled in and attending high school, GED classes, post- high school vocational training, or college?

BASELINE SURVEY QUESTIONS EDUCATION 10. What is the highest educational degree or certification that you have received? ○ High school diploma/GED ○ Vocational certificate ○ Vocational license ○ Associate's degree ○ Bachelor's degree ○ Higher degree ○ None of the above ○ Declined

BASELINE SURVEY QUESTIONS EDUCATION (Yes/No/Declined to answer) 11. Currently are you enrolled in and attending high school, GED classes, post-high school vocational training, or college? PERMANENT RELATIONSHIPS WITH ADULTS (Yes/No/Declined) 12. Currently is there at least one adult in your life, other than your caseworker, to whom you can go for advice or emotional support? HOUSING (Yes/No/Declined to answer/Do not know) 13. Have you ever been homeless?

BASELINE SURVEY QUESTIONS RISKY BEHAVIORS (Yes/No/Declined to answer) 14. Have you ever referred yourself or has someone else referred you for an alcohol or drug abuse assessment or counseling? 15. Have you ever been confined in a jail, prison, correctional facility, or juvenile or community detention facility, in connection with allegedly committing a crime? 16. Have you ever given birth or fathered any children that were born? 17. Were you married to the child's other parent at the time each child was born?

BASELINE SURVEY QUESTIONS ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE (Yes/No/Declined to answer/Do not know or N-A 18. Currently are you on Medicaid or Medical? 19. Currently do you have health insurance, other than Medicaid? 20. Does your health insurance include coverage for medical services? 21. Does your health insurance include coverage for mental health services? 22. Does your health insurance include coverage for prescription drugs?