Sanders Announces All Arkansas Foster Youth to Receive Trump Accounts

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that all Arkansas foster youth will be enrolled in the Trump Account program, a tax-advantaged investment account created by President Donald J. Trump's One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.

"One of my top priorities as Governor has been to make sure our most vulnerable young people, our foster youth, are set up for success. Thanks to President Trump's Trump Account program, we're giving these young people a chance to start saving for the future before they even reach adulthood," said Governor Sanders. "Thank you to the President and First Lady for the focus they have put on making sure every young person in this country can achieve the American Dream."

"Establishing a savings account is a key step that better positions children to thrive as they grow and become adults," said DCFS Director Tiffany Wright. "However, we know that this can be challenging, especially for youths who must enter foster care. This program helps close that gap and ensure that all children can begin to save for their future. We are so appreciative of Gov. Sanders and her team for making this a reality in our state, and we look forward to implementing it."

"The Trump Account Program represents a new way that we can help support our youth in foster care, and I am so proud to know that our state is making these accounts available to the children in care we serve through our Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS)," said Arkansas Department of Human Services Secretary Janet Mann. "This is an incredible opportunity that will positively impact families for years to come. I'm grateful to President Trump for establishing this beneficial program, and to Governor Sanders for her continued support of the work we do to serve children and families in Arkansas."

The Trump Account program is available for all U.S. children under the age of 18. Those born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, are eligible for an initial, one-time $1,000 contribution funded by the government. Additionally, the beneficiaries' parents, grandparents, or guardians, nonprofit groups, and employers can contribute toward the account, with a general annual limit of $5,000.

Withdrawals from Trump Accounts may begin on January 1 of the year the beneficiary turns 18 and generally follow the same rules as IRA accounts. More information about the Trump Account program is available here.

Governor Sanders has worked to improve Arkansas' foster care and adoption landscape since taking office, signing an Executive Order at the beginning of her administration bringing together foster care advocates from around the state to craft recommendations that her administration is now quickly implementing and adding $1 million to the foster placement budget last year. For the first time since data has been collected, there are now fewer than 200 kids waiting for adoption in the entire state.

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