The Village Foster Mama

On November 13, 2025, President Trump signed the “Fostering the Future” Executive Order, which is led by First Lady Melania Trump to improve the future of foster children and youth aging out of the system. I read through the Executive Order today and am pleased with some of the tangible action items that are identified. At first, it’s pretty broad – providing support thru increased “mentorship”, “Scholarships”, and “workforce training”. That’s wonderful, but HOW????

As I continued reading, I did find more tangible items, which I was very pleased with! First, decommissioned Federal laptops to foster youth! SWEET! These were also listed:

• online platform for youth to develop personalized action plans & find resources
• Office of Personnel Management to provide federal job opportunities thru “Pathways Program”
• $25M for Housing stability

Then there’s this item:

• Dept of Treasury & Dept. of Housing and Urban Development will be hosting roundtables across the country to learn from foster alumni, then establish policies/programs
• their initial statement is DUE Spring 2026.

I searched, and searched, and searched….. and I could not find anything specific about these “roundtables”. When? Where? I will continue digging on this.

Then on to the nitty-gritty of the EO, and what this means will/should happen! Here’s my summary.

Photo Credit: President Trump issues ‘Fostering the Future’ executive order to support children in foster care | LiveNOW from FOX

EXECUTIVE ORDER ITEMS…SUMMARIZED

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (R.F.Kennedy Jr.) has 180 days to start these tasks:

1. updating data collection from states’ child welfare systems

2. Promote modernization of states’ data systems

3. Use predictive analytics and AI to increase caregiver recruitment and retention rates, caregiver/child matching, and better utilize federal funding

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, Office of First Lady, and other assigned offices have 180 days to start these tasks:

1. Establish this “FTF” initiative to begin developing partnerships for education and employment opportunities

2. Launch “Fostering The Future” online Platform for housing, education, employment, healthcare, and mentoring services as a searchable database

3. Develop a strategy to reallocate funds returned by states from Federal programs 

4. increase flexibility in education and training vouchers

5. from tax-credited donations, create scholarships and grants

The Secretary of Health and Human Service, Director of the White House Faith Office(Established in Feb 2025) and White House Intergovernmental Affairs:

1. address state and local policies/practices that inappropriately prohibit individuals or organizations based on religious beliefs or moral convictions

2. increase partnerships between agencies and faith-based organizations and houses of worship to serve foster families or families at risk of removal

Phew. These are some big things to achieve. The children/youth of our country deserve this and so much more. Those that are in and aging out of foster care did not CHOOSE this life, it was forced upon them. They deserve the best to have a great future. I truly hope and pray these things take affect and start making a positive difference as soon as possible. I will continue to watch for updates and keep yall updated, too.

Foster mamas, you’re doing GREAT 🙂

-Debra

REFERENCES:
Fostering the Future for American Children and Families – The White House

First Lady Melania Trump Announces Executive Order on Fostering the Future, Opens New Opportunities for Public-Private Partnerships – The White House

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Fosters the Future for American Children and Families – The White House