Across the country, children are suffering because of a severe shortage of foster homes. They’re being placed in shelters, mental hospitals, and spending the night in child welfare offices, simply because states have nowhere else for them to go.

Public comment submitted by Children’s Rights for the New York City Board of Correction.

Countless young people across the United States are being swept into the pipeline between foster care and sex trafficking every year, and their stories are heartbreaking. In the fall edition of the Children’s Rights newsletter, Notes From the Field, we feature the story of Crystal, who grew up in state care and was coerced into the sex trade at 18.

A review of Children’s Rights’ work in 2013-2014, including significant developments in our foster care reform campaigns, financial information and a list of the individuals and organizations that generously supported Children’s Rights during the period.

“Thirty-one bloggers share firsthand experience with the U.S. foster care system in the 2014 print edition of Children’s Rights’ Fostering the Future project. Foreword by Marvin Bing of Amnesty International USA.”

Nearly 640,000 young people depend on caseworkers to keep them safe in U.S. foster care each year. But with little training, unmanageable caseloads and long hours on small salaries, adequately protecting kids can be difficult. And, as we see in the cover story of Notes From the Field, the effects can be devastating.

When no foster homes were available, Sean was placed in an institution “akin to being inside a prison.” Guards dictated when to wake, clean and eat, and he couldn’t leave without staff. In this issue, Sean’s story, and those of others who’ve lived in foster care institutions – is brought to life.

A review of Children’s Rights’ work in 2012-2013, including significant developments in our foster care reform campaigns, financial information and a list of the individuals and organizations that generously supported Children’s Rights during the period.

Twenty seven bloggers share personal, and at times gut-wrenching, accounts of life in state care in this print edition of Children’s Rights’ inaugural Fostering the Future project. Foreword by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels.

Imagine entering foster care with a brother or sister, your only comfort in a world of uncertainty. Then you’re split up and have no idea, if, or when, you’ll see each other again. This issue delves into the impacts of sibling separation, and shares the stories of those who’ve been through it.