President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at bolstering support for teens aging out of the foster care system, a move hailed by advocates as a vital step toward providing stability and preventing homelessness for vulnerable youth.
The order, titled “Fostering the Future,” seeks to expand and enhance access to education, workforce and career development, digital resources and other supports for foster youth transitioning to adulthood.
“This executive order… gives me tremendous pride. It is both empathetic, and strategic… I predict this small spark today will ignite a profound and lasting nationwide movement,” Trump said.
He continued:
“The Bible tells us that one of the measures of any society is how it cares for vulnerable children and orphans.”
“So important, and it’s so big in the Bible. So as we make America great again, we are going to protect American children and foster care.”
“And we’re going to ensure that they will never, ever be forgotten. These children will never be forgotten and they’re going to grow up to be unbelievable, strong, smart, wealthy, productive citizens.”
It also launches first lady Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future” initiative, which will secure educational opportunities and scholarships for children in foster care as part of her Be Best campaign.
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The White House said the action addresses the challenges faced by approximately 20,000 youth who age out of foster care each year, with advocates noting that around 50% of them end up homeless. Charell Star, a former foster youth and vice president of New York City’s chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, expressed optimism about the order’s potential impact during an appearance on NewsNation’s “Morning in America.”
“Any attention on the needs of youth who are aging out of care — 20,000 youth age out of care every year — around 50% of them end up homeless. Any awareness, any push to help these youth not end up homeless and have stability in their lives is really important, and something that I support,” Star said.
Star added that she is hopeful the executive order will help young people aging out of foster care to land on their feet.
The signing ceremony, held at the White House, underscores the administration’s focus on protecting children and families, aligning with broader pro-life principles that emphasize care and opportunity for the most vulnerable.
Trump has long championed initiatives to strengthen family support systems, and this order builds on those efforts by targeting resources directly to those leaving foster care.
For many in the pro-life community, the measure represents a compassionate extension of support for life beyond birth, ensuring that children who have faced early hardships receive the tools to thrive as independent adults.
