Etched In Sand: A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island

Since 1980, New York’s foster care system has undergone significant reforms aimed at improving child safety, permanency of homes, and well-being. In the early 1980s, the system was fragmented and unreliable, with inconsistent oversight and limited support for children and foster families. Caseworkers were frequently overloaded with work, and children experienced long stays in multiple placements, which often led to neglect, abuse, separation from loved ones, and lack of access to education and healthcare.

Reforms in the 1990s and 2000s focused on increasing accountability for those involved in operating the system, standardizing case management, and promoting family reunification when safe to do so. New York implemented regulations to ensure that foster children receive proper medical, educational, and psychological services regardless of their living situation. Efforts were made to recruit qualified foster families and increase standards for who qualifies to provide care, while also emphasizing the importance of cultural competence (understanding how culture affects family context) and trauma-informed care (understanding how trauma impacts children and families).

More recently, policies have emphasized permanency and stability, including prioritizing adoption, kinship care, and guardianship over long-term foster placements. Programs supporting independent living for older youth have expanded, helping teens transition successfully out of care with education, housing, and resources for becoming employable. Technology and data systems have also been upgraded, improving case tracking and outcomes measurement. Despite progress, challenges and flaws remain, including disparities in quality of care and the need for better support for foster parents. Overall, the changes within New York’s foster care system reflect a move toward child-centered, accountable, and supportive practices that seek to balance safety, stability, and the emotional well-being of children, but there is much work yet to be done.