Foster care is a temporary placement outside your home. A foster care placement may be in the home of a relative or a friend or in the home of a family you do not know. It may also be in a group setting with other youth. Here’s what you can expect.

You have a right to stay in foster care until you turn 21, as long as you are participating in a school or job training program or can’t live on your own. However, once you turn 18, you cannot be forced to stay unless you agree. Here’s information to consider when making that important decision and planning for life after foster care.

Students in foster care have the right to remain in their school of origin when they enter foster care or change foster homes if it is in their best interest to do so. They also have the right to transportation. Find out more about school stability for children in foster care below.

Family Team Conferences are important meetings that help you and your family plan for the future. Sometimes these meetings are also called Service Plan Reviews (SPRs).

There are a lot of reasons why you might’ve resorted to leaving home—hard times, conflict, etc. No matter your reason, New York City has resources that can help you find a place to stay. If you ran away from your foster care placement, contact your Juvenile Rights Practice lawyer or Social worker for assistance.