WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman David Schweikert joined federal leaders at the White House today for the signing of the Fostering the Future executive order. The order aims to strengthen the foster care system and improve the path to adulthood for young people who often face that transition without support.

Under the order, the Department of Health and Human Services will review and modernize child welfare policies and update information systems that states use to track safety and outcomes. These changes are intended to give caseworkers stronger tools and to help states respond more effectively to the needs of children and families.

The executive order also creates a national Fostering the Future initiative that will connect foster youth with education programs, career training, and housing support. It calls for the development of a new online platform that will bring together federal and state resources so young people leaving foster care can find guidance and build plans for long-term independence.

The order also calls for greater flexibility in education and training vouchers and encourages states to work with organizations that support children in crisis, including faith-based partners.