Welcome to the Michigan National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Outcomes Survey

What is this survey about?

The Michigan Department of Human Services is administering a survey to older youth in foster care as a part of a national research study. The name of the survey is the Michigan National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Outcomes Survey. Your participation in the study will help to measure states' success in preparing youth for the transition from foster care to independent living. You are being asked to participate because you are either 17, 19 or 21 years old and it is a survey year.

What am I being asked to do?

If you agree to take part in this study, you will be asked to complete a survey that contains questions about your financial independence, education, connections with adults, experience with homelessness, parenting status, social behaviors, and access to health insurance. There are approximately 19 questions in the survey, and it will take about 15 minutes for you to finish.

This consent form offers you the option to accept or decline participation in taking the survey. You may ask questions about the study. You should participate only after you have had all of your questions answered, and you understand what is being asked of you.

Will you share my answers with anyone?

This is not an anonymous survey. A hard copy of your answers to the survey may be kept in your DHS case file. DHS staff persons will have access to the survey answers. Your answers will be sent to the US government foster care agency, but the Michigan Department of Human Services will use a special code, not your name when your answers are sent.

The results of this survey will only be published for foster youth as a group. When the results of this survey are studied or discussed, your name will not be connected to the data. Your name will not be used in any reports or discussions about the results of the survey.

Do I have to take this survey?

Your participation is voluntary. However, your participation matters! Hearing back from youth allows DHS and the community to better understand how foster care impacts young people and how they can change policies and improve resources to make it better. Questions left blank will default to decline.

Once you select the submit button your survey will be submitted and you will not be able to access it or change your answers.

Will someone try to contact me later?

Youth who enter the survey at age 17 may be contacted again at ages 19 and 21 to complete a follow-up survey. If you provide contact information, you are consenting to be contacted for purposes of NYTD.

What if I have a question about the survey?

If you have questions or concerns about the survey now or in the future, please contact Child Welfare Policy at [email protected]