White House launches ‘faith-based’ order on foster care – WHYY

Executive Order on Foster Care Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals

A new White House executive order, titled “Fostering the Future for American Children and Families,” has been introduced to reform the transition process for youth aging out of the foster care system. The initiative aims to establish new public and private partnerships to address critical challenges faced by this vulnerable population, aligning with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Core Objectives and Alignment with Global Goals

Promoting Economic Stability and Reducing Inequality (SDG 1, SDG 8, SDG 10)

The primary objective of the order is to equip young people with the tools for financial independence, directly contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). By focusing on a marginalized group, the initiative also strongly supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

• The order seeks to secure entry-level job positions for former foster youth.
• A central goal is to prevent the high rates of homelessness experienced by individuals transitioning out of care.
• The policy is framed as both “empathetic and strategic” to create a “lasting nationwide movement” for financial self-sufficiency.

Enhancing Access to Quality Education (SDG 4)

A significant component of the executive order is the expansion of educational opportunities, which is central to SDG 4 (Quality Education). The plan involves creating clear pathways to higher learning and career development.

• The order calls for expanded educational pathways for foster youth.
• It aims to provide scholarships and a foundation of knowledge for lifelong success.
• Partnerships with academic institutions, including Villanova University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Miami, are highlighted as a key strategy.

Fostering Multi-Sector Partnerships (SDG 17)

The initiative explicitly calls for collaboration between various sectors, embodying the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This approach recognizes that systemic change requires a coordinated effort.

• The order mandates stronger ties between federal agencies, businesses, and higher education.
• It encourages partnerships with non-profit entities and faith-based organizations to create a comprehensive support network.
• A youth-facing online platform is proposed to connect individuals with resources from these diverse partners.

Expert Analysis and Recommendations for Deeper SDG Impact

Acknowledged Strengths and Opportunities

Child welfare experts have expressed cautious optimism, noting the order’s potential to advance progress toward the SDGs. The initiative is seen as a positive step in bringing national attention to a critical issue.

1. The focus on child welfare by the administration is considered a significant development that could motivate systemic change.
2. The proposal to modernize child welfare data and create an online resource platform is applauded, provided it is designed with input from youth with lived experience.
3. Engaging the business and higher education communities is seen as essential for overcoming the overwhelming challenges at the local level, such as in Philadelphia, where over 3,000 youth are in the foster care system.

Identified Gaps in Addressing Root Causes and Systemic Barriers

While the order’s goals are praised, experts highlight critical omissions that could limit its long-term effectiveness in achieving sustainable development outcomes.

• Lack of Preventative Measures (SDG 3, SDG 16): The report notes a significant absence of funding for “upstream” prevention efforts. To build stronger institutions (SDG 16) and promote well-being (SDG 3), resources are needed to address the root causes of children entering foster care, such as parental substance abuse and neglect.
• Insufficient Support for Educational Attainment (SDG 4): Experts argue that financial aid is not the primary barrier to higher education. The greater need is for comprehensive support systems to help youth navigate the application process and succeed in college, as completion rates for former foster youth are extremely low (5-7% for a bachelor’s degree). This includes housing support and academic guidance.
• Need for Relational Permanence (SDG 3, SDG 11): For youth to achieve well-being (SDG 3) and successfully integrate into communities (SDG 11), they require stable, guiding relationships. While the order mentions “mentoring services,” experts stress that this concept must be robustly funded and measured to ensure it provides the “relational permanence” necessary for a successful transition to independence.

Conclusion: A Step Towards Sustainable Development for Vulnerable Youth

The “Fostering the Future” executive order represents a commendable step toward aligning national policy with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the areas of poverty reduction, quality education, and reduced inequalities. However, for the initiative to achieve its full potential, experts recommend a greater focus on preventative strategies and the implementation of comprehensive support systems that address the holistic needs of foster youth, including housing, mentorship, and in-college guidance. Such enhancements would more effectively ensure long-term well-being and sustainable outcomes for this population.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article directly connects the experience of foster care with poverty and homelessness. The executive order’s goal is to provide “financial independence,” addressing the economic vulnerability of youth transitioning out of the system. The text states, “Too many people from [the] foster care community end up homeless.”
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • A significant portion of the article focuses on the educational challenges and opportunities for foster youth. The executive order aims for “expanded education pathways” and partnerships with universities. The article highlights the severe educational disparities, noting that for foster youth who enroll in college, “only 5–7% complete a bachelor’s degree.”
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The core purpose of the executive order, as framed in the article, is to improve employment outcomes. It is described as an effort to give young people “the ability to secure an entry-level job position and in turn, financial independence,” which directly relates to promoting productive employment for youth.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article focuses on a specific vulnerable group—youth in or transitioning out of foster care—who face systemic disadvantages in education, housing, and employment compared to their peers. The entire initiative is an attempt to reduce these inequalities and promote the social and economic inclusion of this group.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses the child welfare system, a key public institution responsible for protecting children. It mentions that the “most prevalent reasons children are sent into foster care are parents’ substance abuse and abuse and neglect,” touching upon the need to protect children from violence and strengthen the institutions designed to support them.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The executive order’s strategy is explicitly based on multi-stakeholder partnerships. The article states it calls for “stronger ties between federal agencies, businesses and higher education” and lists universities and “faith-based” organizations as partners, embodying the collaborative approach of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 1 (No Poverty):
   • Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty. The initiative aims to prevent poverty and homelessness among former foster youth, a specific demographic at high risk.
   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems for all. The foster care system and the executive order itself are forms of social protection aimed at supporting a vulnerable population.
2. Under SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university. The order’s focus on creating “new educational and employment opportunities” and partnering with universities directly addresses this target for foster youth.
3. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training (NEET). The executive order is designed to move youth transitioning out of care into education and “entry-level job positions.”
4. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… economic or other status. The policy aims to improve the economic and social inclusion of individuals whose status as former foster youth puts them at a disadvantage.
5. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The article notes that “abuse and neglect” are primary reasons for entering foster care, and prevention efforts, though noted as underfunded, are key to achieving this target.
6. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article explicitly details the order’s plan to “develop partnerships with agencies and leading private sector organizations, academic institutions and non-profit entities.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 1 (No Poverty):
   • Implied Indicator: The rate of homelessness among youth after transitioning out of foster care. The article opens by stating, “Too many people from [the] foster care community end up homeless,” making this a key metric for success.
2. For SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Mentioned Indicator: The postsecondary completion rate for former foster youth. The article provides a direct statistic that can serve as a baseline: “only 5–7% complete a bachelor’s degree and only about 8–12% complete any postsecondary credential by their late 20s.” Progress would be measured by an increase in this percentage.
3. For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Implied Indicator: The employment rate of youth who have transitioned out of foster care. The goal to “secure an entry-level job position” implies that tracking the number or proportion of these youth who gain employment is a primary measure of the policy’s impact.
4. For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Mentioned Indicator: The number of children in the foster care system. The article provides data for Philadelphia: “There are over 3,000 youth currently in the foster care system in Philadelphia… a significant decrease since a few years ago, when the number hovered around 6,000.” This number serves as an indicator of the scale of the issue and the effectiveness of prevention efforts.
5. For SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Implied Indicator: The number and scope of partnerships established. The article mentions specific universities like “Villanova, Vanderbilt, the University of Miami and Oral Roberts” as partners. An indicator would be the number of businesses, academic institutions, and non-profits that formally join the initiative.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: whyy.org