On June 17, 2011, youth in foster care across South Carolina gathered in Columbia to kick off NYTD, a federal study of the transition from foster care to adulthood. During the SCDSS conference, 367 youth attended workshops on topics such as healthy living, money management, and technology etiquette and safety. They interacted with college admissions counselors from across the state and explored careers at a job fair.

The  J’Ouvert steel band entertained youth and adults during lunch. At the graduate ceremony, 54 youth were honored with a certificate for graduating from high school or an institution of higher learning. Chaundra Fletcher from DSS Lancaster County received the 2011 “Our Champion Award” for being an outstanding caseworker for teens.

Members of GOALL, the SCDSS youth advisory committee, introduced workshop leaders and spoke about life in foster care. The president of GOALL, Faith Slater, delivered the keynote address. Adults who accompanied youth attended some of the same workshops as the youth and learned about NYTD.

NYTD (National Youth in Transition Database) is actually a two-pronged study. The federal government is interested in

• Tracking the independent living services that youth receive
• Surveying youth at ages 17, 19, and 21 about their transition to adulthood

The NYTD Team has been raising awareness about the study. At the NYTD Kickoff, Monique Mitchell, Toni Jones, and Terri Pope presented the NYTD workshop for adult participants. Dr. Mitchell and Ms. Jones have been presenting around the state, including at the statewide conference sponsored by the South Carolina Association of Children’s Homes and Family Services in Myrtle Beach in January of 2011.

Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Cynthia Flynn also presented “NYTD, Not Just a Data Collection: Partnering with SCFPA to Enhance Connections for Youth Transitioning out of Care” to the South Carolina Foster Parents Association in Greenville on April 9, 2011.

The NYTD Kickoff is part of the push to improve independent living services for youth in foster care. Improved services should help youth achieve better outcomes once they transition to adulthood.