Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to more accurately portray Star’s comments.
(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump is signed an executive order Thursday aimed at expanding resources for teens aging out of the foster care system.
The order aims to support foster youth transitioning to adulthood “by expanding and enhancing access to education, workforce and career development, digital resources, and other supports,” according to the Daily Signal.
First lady Melania Trump introduced her husband, speaking about the importance of the executive order and the need to support young people aging out of the foster care system.
The “Fostering the Future” program will include pledges from American companies and institutions to invest in teaching, training and mentoring the country’s youth.
The president also spoke about the importance of faith-based services within the foster care system.
Charell Star, a former foster youth and vice president of New York City’s chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, told “Morning in America” she is hopeful about the executive order, saying it’s crucial to help young people leaving foster care avoid homelessness.
“Any attention on the needs of youth who are aging out of care — 20,000 youth age out of care every year — around 50% of them end up homeless,” Star said. “Any awareness, any push to help these youth not end up homeless and have stability in their lives is really important, and something that I support.”
Nearly 400,000 children are in foster care across the United States. Approximately 50% of foster children finish high school, according to the National Foster Youth Institute, and 3% obtain a college degree.
The order is also expected to launch first lady Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future” initiative, a part of her Be Best initiative, which “secures educational opportunities and scholarships” for children in foster care.