This booklet reports on focus groups organized by the California Youth Connection (CYC) in which foster youth across California discussed their experiences. Results of these focus groups were evaluated to see how the experiences matched current assumptions and knowledge. The intent of this booklet is to accurately depict the ideas, concerns, and recommendations of the youth who participated, and to educate those who create legislation, make child welfare policy decisions, adjudicate foster and adoption cases, or in any way work with or affect these young people's lives. An appendix contains a summary of youth's recommendations from CYC semi-annual conferences in 1997 and 1998. The following issues were included in the discussions: kinship care; adoption; group homes; the court process; the needs of younger foster children; the needs of emancipating youth; and social worker services and accountability. (MKA)