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Office of the First Lady
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2026
First Lady Melania Trump's 10 Achievements Transforming Outcomes for Foster Youth Since the Signing the Fostering the Future Executive Order 180 Days AgoFirst Lady Melania Trump marked the 180-day milestone following the signing of the Executive Order on Fostering the Future for American Children and Families , highlighting 10 achievements made to expand opportunities, strengthen public and private supports, and improve outcomes for youth who have experienced foster care.
As America commemorates National Foster Care Month , the Office of the First Lady highlighted the following achievements made surrounding Mrs. Trump's Fostering the Future Executive Order:
Establishing the Fostering the Future Fund: First Lady Melania Trump secured a new Fostering the Future Fund , which will ensure that up to $32 million in Federal funds for foster and adoption services do not go to waste. The Fostering the Future Fund, allocated within President Trump's Fiscal Year 2027 Budget, will allow unused funds to be reallocated to support tailored services for youth transitioning out of foster care through the Chafee Foster Care Program.
Creating a New Fostering the Future Digital Platform: The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families has launched a new Fostering the Future Online Platform to connect youth transitioning out of foster care with critical resources for education, housing, and career development. Guided by direct input from youth with lived experience and state child welfare directors, the new digital platform, FosteringTheFuture.Gov , was shaped through roundtable and design sessions with youth from the foster care community.
Investing in the Melania Trump Foster Youth to Independence Program: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 provided $30 million for foster youth housing. The Foster Youth to Independence program, now named in honor of First Lady Melania Trump, has supported over 1,400 housing vouchers for youth nationwide since January 20, 2025. President Trump's Fiscal Year 2027 Budget proposes to continue this funding.
Championing New Foster Care Legislation: The First Lady championed new foster care legislation when she joined a bipartisan roundtable of the House Ways and Means Committee on April 15, 2026, to advance reforms to the Chafee Foster Care Program, including proposals to expand education and training support, increase flexibility, and improve access to workforce development opportunities. The Committee approved six pieces of legislation with strong bipartisan support on April 29, 2026.
Protecting Social Security Benefits Earned for Foster Youth: On December 11, 2025, the Trump Administration sent letters to states urging immediate action to prevent the diversion of Social Security survivor benefits intended for foster youth after the loss of a parent. In the last six months, the following nine states answered the Trump Administration's call: Alabama, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington state. These states joined Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. in ending the practice of diverting federal benefits that rightfully belong to foster youth.
Expanding Access to Family Care in 19 States Through Fostering the Future-Aligned Partnerships: The Trump Administration has advanced a coordinated, Fostering the Future-aligned effort through HHS/ACF to increase the number of safe, stable, and loving homes available to children in need--while reinforcing the importance of keeping families together whenever possible. By working in close partnership with states, child welfare leaders, and lived-experience experts, A Home for Every Child has focused on improving data transparency, reducing unnecessary entries into foster care, and removing barriers that prevent qualified families from fostering or adopting. Early outcomes reflect a growing national coalition committed to these goals, with 19 states and jurisdictions taking action to strengthen their systems and expand capacity, among them Arkansas
, Iowa , Louisiana , Mississippi , Oklahoma , Ohio , South Carolina , and West Virginia
have specifically recognized the leadership of First Lady Melania Trump and the Fostering the Future initiative in advancing this work.
Enhancing Benefits to Support Foster and Adoptive Families: The Office of Personnel Management , in partnership with HHS/ACF, issued new guidance clarifying paid parental leave for federal employees who foster or adopt--enhancing the flexibility of benefits for parents opening their homes to children in need. The White House led by example in an internal announcement sent earlier this month.
Leveraging Faith Partners to Help Youth Access More Housing Options: The Department of Housing and Urban Development distributed a call to action on May 11, 2026, to churches, faith leaders, and nonprofit organizations across the country informing them of the Melania Trump Foster Youth to Independence program and inviting faith-based organizations to become involved in helping youth transitioning out of foster care to find and maintain stable housing.
Launching a Child Welfare Technology Incubator: HHS/ACF launched a Child Welfare Technology Incubator to modernize state foster care systems, incorporating tools such as artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and enhanced caseworker support to improve outcomes for children and families.
Increasing Transparency Through a New Data Dashboard: On January 26, 2026, HHS/ACF released the first-ever public Child and Family Services Review Data Profile Dashboard, enabling state-by-state comparisons of child safety and permanency outcomes for children in foster care--introducing a historic level of transparency and accountability of foster care systems across America.
Since the Executive Order was signed on November 13, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Office of Personnel Management have worked in close coordination with the Office of the First Lady--guided by youth voices with lived experience--to provide more pathways to success for young people leaving foster care.
Through significant interagency collaboration, the Trump Administration has prioritized innovation, accountability, and partnerships to better support youth transitioning out of foster care and families looking to provide loving homes across the country.
From advancing legislative solutions and modernizing child welfare systems to expanding housing, education, and career pathways, First Lady Melania Trump has led a historic effort to ensure Americans with lived experience are seen, heard, and supported.
As the Trump Administration continues to implement the Fostering the Future Executive Order championed by First Lady Melania Trump, these efforts remain guided by a single, unifying goal: delivering lasting, meaningful change for young people with experience in foster care and families across America.
