On October 1, 2010, the federal government launched a nationwide longitudinal data collection, the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD), to evaluate the service delivery and program effectiveness of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. All states are required to track, monitor, and report the independent living services received and identified by youth as having been received as they transition out of foster care. Federal law requires every state to gather information from all eligible youth in foster care at the age of 17 and then again at 19 and 21 years of age.

Survey results in these reports provide information only about those who participated in the survey, who may have different outcomes (e.g. less serious risk factors) than those who did not participate. The information in these reports is useful to SCDSS to engage in meaningful dialogue with youth about their perceptions and experiences of independent living services and ways to assist them in moving forward and accessing the services that they need to become successful, independent young adults.

Cohort 3

SCNYTD 21-Year-Old Survey - 2021

SCNYTD 19-Year-Old Survey - 2019

Cohort 2

SCNYTD 19-Year-Old Survey (Cohort 2) - 2016

SCNYTD 17-Year-Old Survey (Cohort 2) - 2013-2014

Cohort 1

SCNYTD 21-Year-Old Survey (Cohort 1) - 2014-2015

Note: Survey reports were produced by the Center for Child and Family Studies, University of South Carolina College of Social Work, under contract with SCDSS.