🚨EXCLUSIVE: In MA, ideology comes before foster kids.
Even with rampant abuse in group homes + a severe shortage of foster parents, the state is revoking licenses from Christians who won’t sign a pledge that violates their faith. 🧵 bostonglobe.com/2025/09/03/opi…
Even with rampant abuse in group homes + a severe shortage of foster parents, the state is revoking licenses from Christians who won’t sign a pledge that violates their faith. 🧵 bostonglobe.com/2025/09/03/opi…
The state has taken licenses from foster families who declined to sign a new foster parent agreement on religious grounds. The agreement requires they “support, respect, and affirm the foster child’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.”
Massachusetts has an acute foster care crisis. The state also has the FIFTH highest rate of children in group homes and the FOURTH highest rate of abuse. There are ~8,000-9,000 kids in state foster care, but only about ~5,500 licensed parents. bostonglobe.com/2025/06/30/met…
When one family asked for a definition of "affirm," a DCF employee directed them to the department's LGBTQIA+ nondiscrimination policy which supports giving children "gender-affirming clothing, such as binders, packers, body shapers, bras, breast inserts, and similar items in a timely manner" as well as "gender-affirming care when applicable." mass.gov/doc/lgbtqia-no…
The Marvins, a couple from Woburn, got their license revoked in April because they wouldn't sign the new agreement. They previously fostered a newborn for 15 months who born deaf, testing positive for various substances, and diagnosed with a genetic disorder. They were in the hospital with the baby at least weekly, and eventually helped reunify him with his mother. Their social worker said she wished DCF “had more similar foster parents."
The Joneses, a couple from Northborough, also declined to sign the new agreement. They fear that their 17-month-old foster daughter will be taken away from them if their license is revoked.
In a state that struggles to care for foster children, it’s foolish to turn away proven parents who have objections to a policy that only hypothetically applies to them. DCF is prioritizing ideological conformity over the well-being of children in need of loving homes. bostonglobe.com/2025/09/03/opi…
Other families are losing their licenses, or in fear of losing them. @ADFLegal and @MAFamilyInst filed a legal complaint on behalf of two of these families. Read more here: bostonglobe.com/2025/09/03/opi…
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