Executive Order Aims to Fix Foster Care System Barriers Now
Published Date: 11/19/2025
Presidential Document
Summary
This new order helps kids and families by fixing the foster care system. It makes sure kids get better support, updates old tech, and removes unfair rules that block loving families from fostering. Starting now, changes will roll out fast, with new data rules in 6 months and more help for kids aging out of care.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
State Child-Welfare Data Overhaul
Within 180 days, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must update regulations, policies, and practices to improve collection, publication, utility, and transparency of State-level child-welfare data, eliminate duplicative high-cost reporting, expand and expedite data publication, and publish an annual State scorecard that measures many child-welfare outcomes.
Modernize Systems and Use of AI Tools
Within 180 days, HHS will promote modernization of State child-welfare information systems and expand States' use of technological solutions, including predictive analytics and tools powered by artificial intelligence, to increase caregiver recruitment and retention, improve caregiver-child matching, and direct Federal child-welfare funding to more effective purposes and recipients.
Fostering the Future Partnerships Initiative
Within 180 days, HHS, the Office of the First Lady, and other agencies shall establish a "Fostering the Future" initiative to build partnerships with private, academic, and nonprofit organizations to create new educational and employment opportunities for people in or transitioning out of foster care.
Online Resource Platform for Foster Youth
Within 180 days, HHS will develop a plan to launch, with the National Design Studio, a "Fostering the Future" online platform that assesses needs and helps individuals who have been in foster care access Federal, State, and local programs (housing, education, employment, healthcare, mentoring), offers a searchable database of resources, and generates customized plans for self-sufficiency.
Reallocate Returned Foster-Care Funds
HHS will develop a strategy to reallocate funds returned by States from Federal programs that assist individuals transitioning out of foster care so those returned funds are used to promote educational success, occupational advancement, and financial literacy and self-sufficiency for such individuals.
Expand Flexibility in Education & Training Vouchers
HHS will increase flexibility in Education and Training Vouchers to expand access for individuals transitioning out of foster care to short-term, career-focused, and credential-awarding programs.
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