An executive order aiming to expand opportunities for education, career development, housing and other resources for young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood was signed by President Donald Trump Thursday.
More than 15,000 young people age out of the foster care system annually, Trump said ahead of signing the executive order Thursday. “Unfortunately, too many struggle to become self-sufficient.”
“These [foster] children will never be forgotten, and they’re going to grow up to be unbelievable, strong, smart, wealthy productive citizens,” President Trump said at the signing.
Roughly 17,000 children are in custody of the Department of Children and Family Services at any given time, according to Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois.
Of those aging out of the foster care system, 20% face homelessness immediately upon leaving, while 40% face homelessness within the first 18 months.
Just 3% go on to complete college.
“What we know is education is one of the strongest stabilizers for young people,” said LaTasha Roberson Guifarro, vice president and chief operating officer at Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois. “Our young people who are transitioning out to adulthood really carry the weight and the trauma of what their experience has been, so it’s up to us to prepare them for what’s next.”
She hopes this executive order will put a federal spotlight on this vulnerable population.
“Not only does it give awareness that we need to be paying attention to these young people, I think it helps us really be able to strengthen the success and the achievement young people can have as they exit out of something that has potentially been traumatic,” she said.
The executive order will call on private sector, nonprofits, and academic institutions to make formal pledges to support mentorship, scholarships, internships and job placements for foster youth.
It also directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop a user-friendly, online resource hub for youth who have experienced foster care. The platform will allow users to build customized transition plans, connect with housing, education and healthcare resources, and identify local and national support networks.
Read more from the ‘Fostering the Future’ order here.
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