To provide an array of perspectives on the future direction of foster care, five experts across various disciplines and backgrounds were asked to respond to this question: "How can the child welfare system be improved to better support families and promote the healthy development of children in foster care?" This article presents their responses to the above question. Susan H. Badeau argues that a conversation about improving the system should begin with a discussion of guiding principles, and as a way of beginning this conversation, she proposes six key principles. Alfred G. Perez focuses on the unique needs of adolescents. Will Lightbourne suggests that with a more inclusive decision-making process and adequate resources, progress could be made toward several important goals for an improved child welfare system. Ernestine S. Gray offers several suggestions for improving the child welfare system. And Layla P. Suleiman Gonzalez discusses the new challenges facing state child welfare systems in providing services to a growing multicultural population and provides ways to address them. (Contains 20 endnotes.)