Newly finalized federal rules could threaten the ability of Sunrise Children’s Services in Kentucky and other faith-based agencies to place children in foster care.
The rules essentially require that state child welfare agencies and those designated by the state, such as Sunrise, place children who identify as LGBTQ+ only in foster families that support the child’s gender identity, including so-called gender affirming medical procedures. Sunrise Children’s Services is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
The regulations adopted by the Department for Health and Human Services declare “that state child welfare agencies must ensure that LGBTQI+ children have access to specially designated foster care placements.”
The rules spell out:
- The provider must commit to establishing an environment that supports the child’s LGBTQI+ status or identity; and
- The provider must be trained with the appropriate knowledge and skills to provide for the needs of the child related to the child’s self-identified sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression; and
- The provider must facilitate the child’s access to age- or developmentally appropriate resources, services and activities that support their health and well-being.
Potential consequences
Dale Suttles, president of Sunrise Children’s Services, said the impact of the regulations is still being assessed but it could be “devastating.”
“I think often Sunrise is put in a negative light because we’re a faith-based organization. But we’re also an organization that has had many, many adoptions too — and those kids are growing up to be highly successful,” Suttles said.
“So, I think there’s room at the table for lots of different organizations to serve children, and we just want a seat at the table. We feel like this could be devastating for Sunrise if it’s implemented the way that we interpret it could be.”
Suttles said the new rules could potentially cut Christian families out of the foster care system.
“We’re an organization that has had over 700 adoptions and many of them coming from families, Christian families, that have loved children,” said Suttles. “And for us, all of those families would be disqualified if they were in this present place and time with this regulation. We think it’s wrong. We think it’s bad government.”
The rules come at a time when states like Kentucky are already experiencing a shortage of foster families, with some children being temporarily housed in state office buildings.
“Sunrise just wants to serve children,” Suttles said.
‘Closely reviewing’
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office is “closely reviewing” the regulations to determine how to respond.
Suttles said he would not be surprised if the new rules trigger a flurry of lawsuits.
“Sunrise and its dedicated foster families will not rest until this travesty is thrown out by the courts,” he said.
Suttles is asking Baptists and other Christians to pray.
“I would just ask folks to go to prayer. Pray for Sunrise and pray for other faith-based organizations that will have a real problem with this regulation.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Lawrence Smith and originally published by Kentucky Today.
