President Trump is set to sign an executive order aimed at strengthening foster care for children. The new order will expand resources for youth transitioning into adulthood, part of First Lady Melania Trump’s “Fostering Our Future” initiative. The executive order seeks to support foster youth by expanding access to education, workforce and career development, digital resource, and other supports. Charell Star, a former foster youth and vice president of New York City’s chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, expressed support for the initiative, highlighting the importance of helping young people avoid homelessness. She noted that 20,000 youth age out of care each year, with 50% ending up homeless. Statistics show that only 50 percent of foster children finish high school, and three percent obtain a college degree. The order also launches Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future” initiative, which secures educational opportunities and scholarships for children in foster care, preparing them for workforce and financial independence. Many foster children lack support to finish education and gain employment, with 20% becoming homeless after aging out of the system and only half achieving gainful employment by age 24.
