As National Foster Care Month unfolds in May 2025, over 390,000 children across the U.S. remain in foster care, prompting urgent calls for reform and support.
At a Glance
- President Trump proclaimed May 2025 as National Foster Care Month, urging Americans to support foster families
- Approximately 390,000 children are currently in the U.S. foster care system
- The Family First Prevention Services Act aims to keep families together through preventive services
- Melania Trump’s BE BEST initiative secured a $25 million investment to support foster youth
- Over 18,500 youth age out of foster care annually without permanent family connections
National Spotlight on Foster Care
In a May 7 proclamation issued by President Donald J. Trump, National Foster Care Month was officially recognized, honoring the families and professionals who provide vital care to displaced youth. The proclamation praises foster caregivers for their compassion and commitment, describing them as “pillars of hope” for over 390,000 children currently in care across the country, according to AdoptUSKids.
Watch a report: National Foster Care Month 2025 – YouTube.
The administration emphasized that strong communities and dedicated families are critical to transforming the futures of vulnerable children. Programs supporting kinship care and expanded foster training have been promoted to reinforce the care network.
Legislative Efforts to Strengthen Families
Central to these reforms is the Family First Prevention Services Act, a 2018 law designed to reduce the need for foster care by funding mental health services, substance use treatment, and parental education programs. The act aims to prevent unnecessary child removals and promote family unity, which advocates say marks a dramatic shift in federal child welfare priorities.
By shifting funds to preventive care, Family First emphasizes a data-driven approach that supports at-risk families before children enter the system. State and federal agencies are working together to implement these models, focusing on reducing reliance on group homes and promoting placements with relatives or trusted caregivers.
Supporting Youth Transitioning from Care
A critical gap remains for the more than 18,500 youth who age out of foster care each year without permanent family connections. These young adults often struggle with housing, employment, and access to education. First Lady Melania Trump’s BE BEST initiative is responding with a $25 million investment in the FY26 federal budget, aimed at transitional support and mentoring for youth exiting care.
Complementing that, the Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced $1.8 million in grants through the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program, which provides rental assistance to aging-out youth at risk of homelessness.
Community Voices and Personal Stories
One foster parent, Andrea Bracamonti, shared her sudden life change through A New Leaf: “I went from having one baby of my own to having three overnight.” The emotional and financial weight of caring for additional children can be immense, she says, but local organizations helped ease the burden. “The expenses were overwhelming, but A New Leaf was with me every step of the way.”
Her experience reflects broader concerns that new foster parents often lack guidance, especially when caring for relatives through kinship placements. As Bracamonti recalls, “It felt like they were just dropped into my home without any guidance.”
A Call to Action
National Foster Care Month is not only a time for reflection but also a call for participation. The Children’s Bureau has emphasized themes of engaging youth, building supports, and strengthening opportunities—principles it says must guide reform. The campaign urges communities to support families, consider becoming foster parents, and invest in the future of America’s most vulnerable children.
As President Trump’s proclamation concludes: “Let us come together to protect and uplift our nation’s most precious treasure—our children.”
