First lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump held a joint executive order signing ceremony this week to boost resources for teenagers in the foster care system.
The executive order is designed to expand Melania’s “Fostering the Future,” an initiative aimed at leveraging scholarships and educational opportunities to help youth transition out of the foster care system.
“Too many people from the foster care community end up homeless, in danger on America’s streets,” the First Lady was quoted as saying in a November 13 release from the White House.
“It was 2021 when I developed the idea to establish an impactful platform with an important mission: to provide individuals from the foster care community the ability to secure an entry-level job position, and in turn… financial independence.”
The executive order lists key goals to help create more opportunities for teenagers as they move into adulthood. In particular, it directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create more opportunities for youth in foster care and work with faith-based institutions to ensure that states and local governments do not prevent them from participating in federal child welfare programs.
“I predict this small spark today will ignite a profound and lasting nationwide movement,” said Melania.
As of September 2024, there were an estimated 328,947 children in the foster care system throughout the country, around 25% fewer than the roughly 437,000 listed in 2017 during President Trump’s first administration.
Only 55% of children in the foster care system end up graduating from high school, and only 10% will obtain a college degree.
“Thank you, Melania, and our country is truly blessed to have this magnificent and very caring First Lady,” said President Trump, per the New York Post.
“We believe that every American child deserves a safe and loving home, and we’re determined to support the amazing families who helped make that happen,” he added.
