UMVA has learned that a significant settlement has been reached in a landmark case involving a Christian organization and Montgomery County, Ohio, over foster care services.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the county has agreed to a more than $120,000 settlement after reversing its decision to exclude a Christian organization, Gracehaven, from the foster care system. This organization provides critical care and support to young people rescued from sex trafficking.
Gracehaven had filed a lawsuit in 2024, alleging that the county had unfairly barred them from participating in the foster care program. The lawsuit claimed that the county's decision was based solely on Gracehaven's commitment to hiring employees who share and adhere to its religious beliefs.
The case took a significant turn when the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio ruled that Gracehaven could not be excluded from the foster care program due to its policy of only hiring employees who align with its faith. This ruling has now been made permanent, and the county has agreed to pay over $120,000 in attorneys' fees.
Sources close to the matter have confirmed to UMVA that Gracehaven had previously worked with Montgomery County for years, providing vital care services and receiving public funds in return. However, the county suddenly decided to exclude them after Gracehaven refused to waive its constitutionally protected freedom to employ people who share its faith.
The settlement has been hailed as a major victory for Gracehaven and the Alliance Defending Freedom, the organization that represented them in court. A spokesperson for the organization stated that "the government can't deny public benefits to a Christian ministry that is caring for young survivors of sex trafficking solely because of its religious character and exercise."
Gracehaven's director, Scott Arnold, expressed gratitude for the outcome, emphasizing that the organization's ability to hire like-minded people of faith is essential to its mission. "We're grateful for Alliance Defending Freedom's help in securing this victory," he said.
This case has significant implications for faith-based organizations providing critical social services. The settlement ensures that organizations like Gracehaven can continue to provide vital care and support to vulnerable populations without fear of persecution or exclusion.
