Agencies would modernize foster care and expand support for youth

The Health and Human Services Secretary must take appropriate steps to improve child-welfare data, information systems, technology use, and state outcome tracking. The directions cover state child-welfare programs, foster-care caregivers, children, and related federal support. Technology may include predictive analytics and artificial intelligence for recruiting caregivers, matching children with caregivers, and directing federal child-welfare funds. Actions must follow existing law and depend on available funding. The Secretary must take these steps within 180 days of November 13, 2025, and publish scorecards annually.

Health and Human Services must create partnerships and plans to support education, work, housing, health care, mentoring, and financial independence for people leaving foster care. The support targets people currently in foster care or transitioning out, including access to short-term and career-focused education programs. The online platform is a plan for launch, not an immediate launch of the platform. Returned federal funds would be addressed through a strategy, and voucher changes must fit applicable program rules. The order also directs agencies to help states use tax-credit-funded scholarships for children in foster care. Health and Human Services must establish the initiative and develop the platform and funding strategy within 180 days of November 13, 2025.

Health and Human Services must take appropriate steps to include qualified faith-based people and organizations in federally funded child-welfare work when state or local policies improperly exclude them. The direction covers faith-based organizations, houses of worship, and qualified individuals serving families whose children are in or at risk of entering foster care. Participation must remain consistent with applicable law and agency authority. The order creates no enforceable right or benefit against the United States or other covered parties.