Fostering the Future for American Children and Families

Impact dates

1. May 12, 2026

   HHS regulatory updates, data modernization, AI platform promotion, annual scorecard establishment, Fostering the Future initiative launch, online platform plan, fund reallocation strategy, voucher flexibility expansion, and scholarship facilitation

Key directives

• HHS Secretary shall within 180 days update regulations and policies for state-level child welfare data collection, publication, and transparency
• HHS shall within 180 days promote modernization of state child welfare information systems and AI-powered foster care management platforms
• HHS shall within 180 days publish annual scorecard measuring state outcomes on foster care metrics
• HHS shall within 180 days establish 'Fostering the Future' initiative with private sector, academic, and nonprofit partnerships
• HHS shall within 180 days develop plan for 'Fostering the Future' online platform with National Design Studio
• HHS shall within 180 days develop strategy to reallocate returned federal transition funds for education and employment
• HHS shall within 180 days increase flexibility in Education and Training Vouchers for credential programs
• HHS shall in coordination with Treasury and Education Secretaries facilitate state use of tax-credited scholarship donations for foster children
• HHS shall with White House Faith Office and Intergovernmental Affairs address state/local policies restricting faith-based participation in federally-funded child welfare programs
• HHS shall increase partnerships with faith-based organizations and houses of worship

Who is ordered

• Secretary of Health and Human Services · Department of Health and Human Services
• Director of the White House Faith Office · Executive Office of the President
• Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs · Executive Office of the President
• Secretary of the Treasury · Treasury
• Secretary of Education · Education
• Office of the First Lady · Executive Office of the President

Timeline

Risks & tensions

• AI and predictive analytics in child welfare raise civil liberties and bias concerns not addressed in text
• Faith-based partnership expansion may conflict with state anti-discrimination policies; Section 4 language is vague on 'inappropriately prohibit' standard
• Scorecard metrics could create perverse incentives if poorly designed (e.g., reducing reported maltreatment rather than actual harm)
• 'Basic biological truths' phrasing signals cultural/political framing that may generate implementation disputes
• Subject to appropriations clause may limit actual resource availability for ambitious technology modernization