Existing regulations in New York State appear to have had little effect in ensuring the safety of youth in many group and residential care facilities. Findings from this study suggest that stronger oversight of congregate care settings is needed to ensure the safety of youth, with particular emphasis on the quality of staff supervision of residents, staff’s ability to maintain control of the environment, and mechanisms that ensure prompt responses to incidents that place youth at risk of harm. Specifically, attention must be given to the selection, training, and supervision of congregate care staff. In the United States, close to one-fifth of all children and youth in foster care reside in group care or institutional settings. However, research has lacked in examining the safety of youth in congregate settings. Little is known about the experiences of youth with regard to peer-on-peer violence in congregate care facilities, threats to their safety as a result of the physical status of the facilities, or youth’s experience regarding the safety of their personal belongings. This study elicited the perspectives of young adults formerly placed in congregate care while in foster care, as well as other key stakeholders on issues related to the safety of youth in congregate care environments. References