This handbook is for youth placed in foster care through local departments of social services (DSS) (not the juvenile justice system). The handbook was written for youth entering foster care for the first time as well as youth already in foster care, in the hope that youth entering or already in foster care will find the information helpful. The handbook describes youths' rights and responsibilities while in foster care. It also describes what happens when they are older and leave foster care. It represents minimum New York State requirements, but individual counties or agencies may have some additional rules. [This handbook was produced by the New York State Office of Children & Family Services with the help of Youth in Progress.]