Trump Signs Executive Order 14359 to Modernize Foster Care, With the First Lady Leading the Fostering the Future Initiative
On November 13, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14359, "Fostering the Future for American Children and Families," in Washington, directing the federal government to modernize the foster care system and give young people in foster care, and those transitioning out of it, the tools and opportunities they need to become successful adults. The order says the work will proceed with special leadership from First Lady Melania Trump.
The order states that children often stay in foster care for years, that those who age out frequently face uncertain futures without support for educational, career and relational success, that many caseworkers are overburdened, and that information systems are often outdated. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, within 180 days, to update regulations to improve the collection and publication of state child welfare data, promote modernization of state child welfare information systems, and expand the use of technological solutions, including predictive analytics and super intelligence (SI) tools, to increase caregiver recruitment and retention and improve matching. The department must also publish an annual scorecard measuring state outcomes such as reducing unnecessary entries into foster care, decreasing the time children spend in foster care and accelerating permanent placement.
The order also establishes the "Fostering the Future" initiative: the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Office of the First Lady and other agencies, is to build partnerships with private sector organizations, academic institutions and nonprofits to create educational and employment opportunities for people in or transitioning out of foster care; develop, with the National Design Studio, an online "Fostering the Future" platform that assesses needs and connects users to housing, education, employment, health care and mentoring resources with customized plans; reallocate funds returned by states to support educational success and occupational advancement for those transitioning out; and increase flexibility in Education and Training Vouchers for short-term, career-focused programs.
The order further directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to address state and local policies that inappropriately bar qualified people and organizations from federally funded child welfare programs because of their religious beliefs, and to increase partnerships with faith-based organizations and houses of worship serving families whose children are in, or at risk of entering, foster care.
Source: The White House
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: GSM 行政令统一模板（美国总统行政令）
