After three years of surveys and hearing from over 15,000 members of the foster care community, we have found that the most significant deficits in the current foster care system revolve around the child’s needs not being put first in decision-making. To see real improvement, the system must prioritize the holistic well-being of every child in foster care and be held accountable for meeting this standard. We have summarized 5 recommendations to improve the lives and outcomes of young people in foster care.