Summary
Aims to modernize the nation's foster care system to better support children, youth, and the families who care for them.
What problem does this solve?
The foster care system is often slow and uses old technology, leaving many children waiting for years and unprepared for adulthood. This order uses modern tools and partnerships to improve data, match kids with families, and provide support for success after foster care.
Who does this affect?
- Children in foster care
- Youth transitioning out of foster care
- Foster and adoptive families
What does this order do?
Protects participation of faith-based groups
Takes action to stop state and local rules that prevent qualified people or groups from participating in child-welfare programs because of their religious beliefs.
Creates a state-level scorecard
Requires publishing a yearly scorecard to measure how well each state is doing on important goals, like finding permanent homes for children faster and keeping them safe.
Launches the 'Fostering the Future' initiative
Starts a new program to build partnerships with private companies, schools, and non-profits. Creates new education and job opportunities for youth in or leaving foster care.
Promotes use of modern technology
Encourages states to use technology like predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to find and keep more caregivers and better match them with children.
Improves child welfare data
Updates rules to improve how states collect and share data about child safety and well-being, making the information more useful and open to the public.
Develops an online support platform
Creates a website to help young people leaving foster care find resources for housing, education, jobs, and healthcare, and creates custom plans for their success.
What is the real world impact?
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Allows participation by groups with certain religious beliefs
Addresses state and local rules that stop qualified religious groups from being part of child-welfare programs. This could allow groups with specific moral beliefs, which some people may disagree with, to receive government money and work with children in foster care.
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Modernizes an outdated system
Pushes for the use of new technology like artificial intelligence and data analysis. Aims to make the child welfare system more efficient at finding good homes for children and keeping track of how they are doing.
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Supports youth aging out of foster care
Creates programs and an online tool to help young people who are leaving the foster care system. Helps them find housing, education, and jobs to become successful adults on their own.
When does this start?
This order sets several deadlines for government agencies, most of which must be completed within 180 days of November 13, 2025.
Modernize the child welfare system
The Secretary of Health and Human Services must take action to improve data collection, promote new technology, and create a state scorecard within 180 days.
Establish 'Fostering the Future' programs
The Secretary of Health and Human Services must establish the 'Fostering the Future' initiative and develop plans for its online platform and funding within 180 days.