YouthNPower: Transforming Care
YouthNPower: Transforming Care is a youth-designed direct cash transfer pilot for young adults who aged out of New York City's foster care system, run by a collective of the Children's Defense Fund-New York, the CUNY Graduate Center's Public Science Project, the Center for the Study of Social Policy, and New Yorkers For Children. Launched in 2023, it provided 100 randomly selected participants aged 18-22 with $1,000 per month in unconditional cash for 12 months, distributed via New Yorkers For Children. The pilot combined a Participatory Action Research inquiry led by youth with lived foster care experience, an independent quasi-experimental evaluation by NYC's Center for Innovation through Data Intelligence, and youth-led organizing for permanent guaranteed income policy. It is described by CDF and partners as the first direct cash transfer pilot in the U.S. designed by and for young people who aged out of foster care. Findings on employment, well-being, and reduced justice-system contact were published in 2025.
Foster youth, Youth-designed/youth-led, Participatory Action Research, Direct cash transfer, New York City, Aged out of foster care
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Children's Defense Fund-New York
- City
- New York
- State / Province
- New York
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Website
- https://youthnpower.org/
- Phone
- +1 212 697 2323
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Inactive
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 100
- Funding type
- Nonprofit, Philanthropic, Research Pilot
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 12,000 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 1,000 USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 12 months
- Distribution Type
- CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Check, Direct Deposit
- Benefit details
Participants received $1,000 per month, unconditionally and with no restrictions on use, for 12 consecutive months (total of $12,000 per participant). Payments were designated as charitable gifts and were not taxed, and did not need to be repaid. Selected participants completed a mandatory benefits counseling session before enrollment to understand impacts on other public benefits. Participants were asked to complete two research surveys and could receive additional compensation for further research activities.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Applicants had to be aged 18-22, have been in NYC foster care at age 18 or older, and have been out of foster care or in Continuation of Care and Support (CCS21+) for at least 6 months at application. Applicants must have "aged out" of care (not exited via reunification, adoption, or guardianship). The pilot was open to applicants regardless of citizenship status, and 100 participants were chosen by lottery from the applicant pool to reflect the diversity of youth aging out of NYC foster care.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 18
- Maximum age
- 22
Family
- Family Status
- Foster Youth
Geography
- US states covered
- New York
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- New York City
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Complementary program enrollment required
- Mandatory benefits counseling session prior to enrollment
- Research / participation requirements
The pilot combined a Participatory Action Research (PAR) inquiry led by youth with lived foster care experience (with CUNY Graduate Center's Public Science Project) and an independent quasi-experimental evaluation using administrative data conducted by NYC's Center for Innovation through Data Intelligence (CIDI). Participants completed start- and end-of-pilot surveys, focus groups, and interviews, with additional compensation for extra research activities. Findings were published in the 2025 reports "Starting to Live": Findings of a Direct Cash Transfer Pilot for Former Foster Youth in New York City (CDF-NY/Public Science Project) and YouthNPower Direct Cash Transfer Pilot: Year 1 Report (CIDI).
Application Process
- How to apply
Applications were accepted online through youthnpower.org/apply-now during an open enrollment window (minimum 30 days) prior to the pilot's 2023 launch. The application, taking about 20-25 minutes, first screened for eligibility (age, foster care history) and then collected demographic and experiential information to help ensure the selected cohort was representative. Applications are now closed since the pilot cohort has concluded.
- Selection process
The 100 pilot participants were selected by random lottery from the pool of eligible applicants, with the collective aiming to ensure the selected group reflected the diversity of identities and experiences among young people aging out of NYC foster care.
