National Foster Parent Association Newsletter - Mid June Update, 2026

What does S162 do?

It's all about recruiting and retaining foster families. 

The legislation is designed to help states recruit, retain, and better support foster and adoptive families through improved use of data, and planning. 

Each state would be required to create a Family Partnership Plan focused on recruiting and retention; these plans would utilize data that's collected about the makeup of foster and adoptive families, in order to better identify the gaps in services so that those gaps can be addressed and improved.

There would be increased reporting requirements for the states back to Congress so that these needs can be continuously evaluated.

Why did the NFPA Champion S.162?

The bill addresses one of the biggest challenges in child welfare: there are not enough foster families available for the children who need them. 

S.162 focuses on understanding why families do not choose to foster, why licensed families leave the fostering system, what supports can keep actively fostering families engaged and on-board, and how states can recruit more effectively.

What will the anticipated impact be?

If fully implemented, S.162 aims to:

• Improve the support systems that are available to foster families, so that fosters don't leave the system due to inadequate resources.

• Reduce disruptions for kids during placement.

• Increase the number of foster homes that are available  - through better recruitment, and support once a family is actively fostering.

• Help children to be placed in homes instead of in care facilities.

• Give policymakers access to better, quality information about what foster care reforms are needed.

We'll keep you informed as the next steps develop.

READ MORE about this bill.

First Lady Melania Trump launched her Fostering the Future Accounts, a new financial resource established to empower foster youth to be fiscally autonomous upon reaching the age of majority.

“Fostering the Future Accounts give foster children the same chance for asset ownership and long-term wealth building as every other American child. By investing in our foster youth now, we help strengthen America’s workforce, communities, and economic future,” the First Lady explained.

This historic measure is a first for the United States and is designed by the First Lady in tandem with the U.S. Department of Treasury. Already, twenty-three Governors have pledged to set up Fostering the Future Accounts for children within their states’ care.

READ MORE >>

If you'd like to learn more, attend an upcoming webinar:

Fostering the Future Accounts Office Hours with ACF and Treasury Department

June 23rd, 1 -  2pm EDT

REGISTER HERE >>

ACF Jointly Issues Guidance to Help States Establish Fostering the Future Accounts for Youth in Foster Care

Washington, D.C.—Through the leadership of First Lady Melania Trump and her Fostering the Future initiative, children and youth in foster care now have a pathway to benefit from Trump Accounts, also referred to as Fostering the Future Accounts. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alongside the U.S. Department of the Treasury, today released new guidance to support states, territories, and tribes in establishing these accounts for eligible youth in foster care. This action advances First Lady Melania Trump’s mission to provide opportunities and improve outcomes for children, youth, and families in the foster care system by giving states the tools necessary to support the financial independence of youth in care.

The three guidance documents released provide child welfare jurisdictions with a comprehensive framework for implementing Fostering the Future Accounts. The guidance covers eligibility requirements, operational procedures for account set up and management, and protocols for ensuring account continuity when custody arrangements change.

The guidance documents include:

• ACF Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) on Fostering the Future Accounts for Youth in Foster Care: Applauds First Lady Melania Trump’s leadership establishing Fostering the Future Accounts, reiterates the Trump administration’s goal for all states to open these accounts for eligible foster youth by December 2027, and announces upcoming national office hours with ACF and the Treasury Department to convene child welfare jurisdiction leaders to discuss implementation considerations and answer outstanding questions.
  
  
• Joint ACF and Treasury Department Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Fostering the Future Powered by Trump Accounts: Provides practical guidance on how to establish these accounts, how to treat survivor benefits deposits, how to claim allowable Title IV-E administrative costs related to account administration, and more.
  
  
• ACF DCL on Leveraging Temporary Assistant for Needy Families (TANF) to Support Trump Accounts: Clarifies that states may deposit unobligated TANF funds into a Fostering the Future Account for children, including eligible foster youth.

New Brief from the National Working Group on Foster Care and Education

How Addressing Education Needs Can Link to Improved Permanency Outcomes: What Data and Practice Tell Us

Background: Research shows that students in foster care often experience numnerous educational barriers that impact their educational stability and success, including changing schools upon entry and during their time in care, high rates of absenteeism and school engagement challenges, high rates of exclusionary school discipline, lower rates of academic attainment in reading and math, and lower likelihood of high school completion and postsecondary attainment.

Improving school stability, educational experiences, and academic outcomes for children and youth in foster care can have an impact on a student’s educational success, and, ultimately, life success. It may also support timely and successful permanency by strengthening factors associated with child and family stability.

READ THE FULL BRIEF >>

CORRECTION: Our June 5th ConnectU included information about a Go!Digital initiative called 'Supporting  Youth in Foster Care as They Transition into Adulthood'.

The post did not include a direct link to their YOUTH TOOLKIT that's been designed for youth, caregivers, caseworkers, educator and advocates who support young people as they prepare for adulthood. 

VIEW THE TOOLKIT HERE >>

IMPORTANT FOSTER CARE-RELATED BILLS TO WATCH

HR 7432 - Fostering the Future Act

This bill expands states' permissible uses of federal funds under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (Chafee program) to include supportive housing services.

A NEW BILL TO WATCH: Informed Foster Youth Act of 2026

This bill would ensure that youth leaving foster care have the vital documents and available services needed for a successful transition into adulthood.

Submitted by Chuck Grassley, (R- Iowa) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.). For details, click HERE.

Conference Registration Is Open Now

Dates: September 27th - 30th  Location: Crystal City, Virginia

Cost: $300 for all 3 days, $125 for Individual Days. Contact us at info@nfpaonline.org for large group rates.

The winner of our 50% OFF Registration Fee is Robin D.! 

We are proud to partner with C.A.S.E, and express our gratitude to event sponsors CENTENE Corporation and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

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