For tens-of-thousands of young people aging out of foster care each year, the transition to adulthood can be overwhelming. Finding stable housing, navigating college or career options, and trying to access the right resources (all without the safety net many of their peers have) creates significant challenges. Statistics say that one in five will experience homelessness; by 24, only half will have a job; and many face financial insecurity. For years, young people, advocates, and policymakers have been working to change those grim numbers.

A new White House executive order, Fostering the Future for American Children and Families, gives those efforts a boost. It outlines plans to expand educational opportunities, career pathways, and digital tools for young people in and transitioning out of foster care, and calls for improvements to the child welfare data and information systems that shape their experiences.

Led by First Lady Melania Trump, the new Fostering the Future initiative will also seek to create more avenues for young people to pursue higher education and long-term, meaningful careers.

At the National Foster Youth Institute, we believe every child deserves a safe, loving, and supportive home — and that all young adults leaving care should have access to the same resources, encouragement, and chances to succeed that their peers rely on. This executive order is another step toward expanding those opportunities and helping more young people move into adulthood with confidence and support.

In attendance at the signing of the order was Aoguzi McDonald (pictured below), who is currently participating in the NFYI Advocacy Fund’s Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth fellowship. His inclusion is an example of youth leadership and lived experience at the center of change.