NYTD FAQ - 2. Data Elements
This web page contains a summary of all Federal responses to questions posed by States regarding implementation of the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) at national meetings hosted by the Children's Bureau. These questions and answers are provided as a resource to assist States in understanding and implementing the NYTD data collection and reporting requirements. Additional NYTD questions should be directed to the State's Regional Office Specialist. States should also consult the Child Welfare Policy Manual for policy guidance related to NYTD.
2.1 Regarding independent living services, do you have any examples of what "other financial assistance" (data element 33) would include?
"Other financial assistance" includes any payments made or provided by the State agency to help the youth live independently (other than educational or room and board financial assistance). As we explained in the NPRM, the definition in the regulation is minimal because we do not believe we could provide an exhaustive list; however, such assistance may include payments for household expenses, subsidized transportation, or payments for business attire for job or college interviews (71 FR 40358).
2.2 Does incarceration (data element 51), i.e., whether the youth was confined for allegedly committing a crime, equate to conviction?
Not necessarily. A youth may be incarcerated after a wrongful arrest or for a minor infraction and may not be convicted (73 FR 10354). However, since the statute requires that we measure incarceration as an outcome (section 477(f)(1)(A) of the Act), we have used the term to describe a youth who has been confined in a jail, prison, correctional facility, or juvenile or community detention facility in connection with allegedly committing a misdemeanor of felony crime.
2.3 What is the implication of an incorrect date of birth (data element 4) that, once corrected, would include or exclude a child from one of the reporting populations? How would this impact data element 35?
Full Question:
Since age is a primary variable determining the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) reporting populations, what is the implication of an incorrect date of birth (data element 4) that, once corrected, would include or exclude a child from one of the reporting populations? How would this impact data element 35?
A State that reports an incorrect date of birth for a youth risks committing errors in the State's data file submission and, consequently, could be subject to penalties for noncompliance.
2.5. Our State provides transportation assistance for employment for three months. Without transportation assistance, youth would not be able to access their jobs. Do any of the NYTD data elements capture information on this service?
Yes. If a State CFCIP agency pays for or provides financial assistance to a youth for transportation, a State may capture this information in data element 33 (other financial assistance).
2.8. If a youth in the served population was an adjudicated delinquent (data element 17) during the reporting period, but not at the time the data was captured, is that youth classified as delinquent?
Yes. States report in data element 17 whether or not a youth in the served population has ever been an adjudicated delinquent by a State or Federal court of competent jurisdiction.
2.9. Are adjudicated delinquents in the served population counted as such if they were ever an adjudicated delinquent (data element 17), or if they were only an adjudicated delinquent during the reporting period?
Data element 17 captures information on whether or not a youth in the served population was ever adjudicated as a delinquent by a State or Federal court of competent jurisdiction.
2.13. For data element 21 (academic support), does it count as a "service" every time a foster parent helps a youth with homework?
Yes. If a foster parent provides academic support as described in data element 21 to assist a youth in completing high school or obtaining a GED during the reporting period, a State may indicate "yes" for data element 21.
2.16. If State CFCIP agency staff offer budgeting and financial management coaching as part of regular case management, does this cover the independent living service described in data element 25 (budget and financial management)?
Yes. If State CFCIP agency staff provided the service, then the State would report "yes" for data element 25 (budget and financial management).
2.19. If the State CFCIP agency pays for or provides screened and trained mentors to youth, but they do not meet face-to-face (interaction through a monitored portal via the internet), then would the State be able to report "yes" for data element 29?
Yes. If the mentoring service otherwise meets the definition of "mentoring" as described in 45 CFR 1356.83(g)(29), then mentoring meetings conducted via the Internet are acceptable.
2.21. We could not locate an ILP service type where transportation costs would fit–is there a data element or data elements that specifically capture information on these costs?
It depends. If a State CFCIP agency pays for or provides financial assistance to a youth for transportation, a State may capture this information in data element 33 (other financial assistance).
2.22. How would a State respond to data element 34 (outcomes reporting status) if a caseworker fails to survey a 19- or 21-year-old youth in the follow-up population?
If the State fails to survey a youth in the follow-up population during the six- month reporting period in which a youth turns age 19 or 21, then the State would report "unable to locate/invite" for data element 34.
2.26. Would a current Chafee-funded outreach worker be considered allowable as a "connection to an adult" (data element 48) if the outreach worker is not the youth's caseworker?
No, not if the Chafee-funded outreach worker is a current State agency employee (45 CFR 1356.83(g)(48)).
2.28. Regarding data element 49 and the definition of homelessness, what is an "adequate" place to live?
We define "homeless" as having "no regular or adequate place to live." This definition includes situations where the youth is living in a car, on the street, or staying in a homeless shelter.
2.33. How should a State report race data on a youth that does not know their race?
If a youth does not know one or more of his or her races, then the State may consult a parent if available to collect this information. If race data still cannot be obtained, the State reports "yes" for data element 11 (race - unknown).
2.42. If the appropriate response to data elements 42-44 for youth still in foster care is "not applicable," does the State still have to ask the survey questions related to these data elements?
No.
2.44. In Appendix B of the NYTD regulation, "no" is not listed as a valid response under data element 56 (health insurance type - medical). Is this a typographical error?
Yes. The valid response options for data element 56 (health insurance type - medical) should be identical to those listed in the regulation text at 45 CFR 1356.83(g)(56), which includes the response option of "no."