JCRC Opposes HHS Waiver to Allow Religious Discrimination by Foster Care Agency

JCRC Deeply Concerned with Federal Government Waiver Allowing South Carolina Foster Care Agency to Discriminate on Religious Grounds

Denver, CO – January 30, 2019 – The Colorado Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is deeply concerned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ decision allowing a government-funded foster care agency in South Carolina to discriminate against Jewish foster families. We believe this impacts policy well beyond South Carolina and poses a dangerous precedent for future policy decisions in Colorado and across the country. Given the importance of this issue, we wanted to share our national organization’s recent statement with the community. JCRC strongly opposes this decision made by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and will continue to monitor the situation.

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 JCPA Strongly Opposes Administration’s Decision Allowing S. Carolina Foster Agencies to Discriminate Against Jewish Parents

New York, NY – The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) strongly opposes the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) decision to grant a waiver authorizing a government-funded South Carolina foster agency to discriminate against prospective foster parents on the basis of religion. The waiver sanctions taxpayer-funded discrimination and harms foster children, one of society’s most vulnerable populations.

“With this waiver, Miracle Hill and other South Carolina foster agencies can can turn away otherwise qualified foster parents if they are Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or LGBT—all while more children suffer. Neither the federal nor the state government should be financing discrimination. It’s unlawful and immoral,” said David Bernstein, President and CEO of JCPA. “Children should never be denied a safe, loving home simply because of a prospective parent’s faith, race, or sexual orientation, especially in a state where 4,600 children are already in foster care and an additional 1,500 foster homes are needed.”

Despite receiving taxpayer dollars, Miracle Hill Ministries requires that its employees, volunteers, and foster parents share its fundamentalist Christian faith, a policy that caught the South Carolina Department of Social Services’ attention after a Jewish woman was reportedly turned away due to her faith.

JCPA believes this waiver sets a dangerous precedent and will oppose this decision.

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About the JCRC

The JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council) advocates for policy issues that affect the Colorado Jewish community and represents these views to the Jewish community and to the general community of Colorado. JCRC consists of more than 39 member organizations, 15 at-large members, and is affiliated with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA).