But, citing anecdotal evidence, researchers, child advocates and city officials insist that the children are disproportionately represented in the foster care system and say the need to find them supportive homes is great.

WSJ: New York City Seeking to Attract Gay, Lesbian Foster Parents

After thoroughly researching the foster care system, conducting focus groups with successful foster care alumni, and independently mentoring foster children, I decided that I would be a champion to improve the odds for foster youth.

WHITEHOUSE: Fostering Change

City officials say they are also hoping to find more diverse homes for children in the foster-care system in general.

WSJ: New York City Seeking to Attract Gay, Lesbian Foster Parents

And began to change the adoption and foster care system.

CNN: Transcript of Thursday's Democratic presidential debate

Reductions in many agencies enabled large expansions in others, like Family and Social Services, which added hundreds of workers to stem a crisis in the foster care and child protection system.

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You've got a small child that suddenly gets sent into some foster care system and the mother is sent away.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Holds Town Hall in New Orleans

Before her career in television, she worked as an attorney in New York City representing foster parents in the family court system who wished to adopt the children in their care.

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