To prepare for a conversation with ACS Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Rise parent leaders gathered the perspectives of 40 parents with open or recent foster care cases through focus groups at Bronx Defenders, Center for Family Representation and Graham Windham in early June. Rise’s parent leaders – all parents with first-hand experience with the child welfare system – gathered parents’ perspectives on what has helped or hurt them in their efforts to reunite with their children in foster care. Discussions focused on the information, services, professional guidance, and peer supports that have made a difference for families–and on the practice and policy changes that could improve parents’ experiences navigating the child welfare system. Rise parent leaders will discuss common themes with Commissioner Carrión June 22.