WASHINGTON, DC —  In a coordinated effort led by First Lady Melania Trump and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) today announced new actions to expand workplace flexibilities and support for foster and adoptive families across the federal workforce. 

The initiative builds on Executive Order 14359, “Fostering the Future for American Children and Families,” and reflects a broader administration priority to help more children grow up in safe, stable, and loving homes.

To advance these efforts, OPM is directing agencies to highlight key provisions in its Handbook on Leave and Workplace Flexibilities for Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care. Federal agencies are being mobilized to better connect employees with a wide range of workplace flexibility and benefits available when fostering or adopting a child. These include up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, flexible work schedules, and other tools designed to help working families navigate major life transitions.

“Federal employees step up every day to serve the American people, and many are also stepping up to open their homes to children in need,” OPM Director Scott Kupor said. “We’re ensuring federal employees who choose to foster or adopt have the tools and workplace support they need to succeed both at work and at home.”

 "Right now, we have too few foster homes to care for the number of children entering foster care. When the federal government can create conditions that make it easier for families to foster, we move one step closer to bridging this gap,” ACF Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams said. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Office of the First Lady and the Office of Personnel Management to ensure federal employees have access to paid parental leave and other workplace benefits if they decide to open their hearts and their homes to care for children nationwide.”

The First Lady has been a leading advocate for children and families, with a continued focus on expanding opportunities for young people who have experienced foster care. This cross-agency effort reinforces that commitment by aligning federal policy, workplace flexibility, and employee awareness.

Agencies will take immediate steps to elevate awareness of these benefits, equip managers to support employees through foster care and adoption, and provide clearer guidance on how to access available resources.

Federal employees who are fostering, planning to foster, or considering adoption should consult their agency human resources offices to determine eligibility and how best to use available flexibilities. The memo also includes frequently asked questions to help employees better understand paid parental leave and related benefits.