Thousands of children enter the foster care system each year, but finding safe, stable homes remains a challenge. The Trump administration says one way to help is by removing regulations it believes discouraged faith-based families from becoming foster parents.

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On Tuesday, the Department of Health and Human Services rescinded a Biden-era foster care rule concerning children who identify as LGBTQ. Although the rule never took effect after being blocked in federal court, administration officials said removing it from federal regulations provides clarity and supports broader efforts to recruit more foster families.

From the Daily Wire:

Though the Biden rule never actually took effect since it was vacated by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, the Trump administration is removing the provisions that remain in the Code of Federal Regulations to “ensure clarity,” a final nail in the coffin of the effort.

Adams explained to The Daily Wire that the move builds on first lady Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future” initiative and related executive order charting a “whole-of-government approach to improving child welfare and foster care.” Part of this is Adams’s “Home for Every Child” campaign, which focuses on increasing the ratio of foster homes to foster kids.

“Nationally, we have a shortage,” he explained. “We only have 57 homes for every 100 kids coming in, so we can and must do better to ensure that there’s enough homes for kids because when there’s not enough homes, kids end up in short-term rentals, hotels, government office spaces, etc.”

The Biden administration finalized the designated placement rule in April 2024 as part of broader foster care regulations governing agencies that receive federal funding. The rule sought to establish placement standards for children who identify as LGBTQ. Before it could be implemented, however, a federal judge in Texas vacated the rule, preventing it from taking effect.

The Trump administration says its decision is about more than removing an inactive regulation. Officials argue that expanding the pool of foster families is critical as communities across the country continue to face a shortage of available homes. They contend that families with deeply held religious convictions should know they are welcome to serve without concern that federal policy could discourage their participation.

The administration has also tied the move to broader child welfare efforts, including First Lady Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future” initiative and the “Home for Every Child” campaign. Those initiatives focus on increasing the number of qualified foster families so more children can be placed in stable homes instead of temporary housing or other emergency settings.

Every child deserves the security and love of a caring home. We have long played a vital role in foster care, answering scripture’s call to care for vulnerable children and support families in need. As leaders continue to debate the best policies for serving children, let us pray that decisions will put children’s well-being first, protect the freedom of faith-based families to serve, and help more young people find the stability they need to flourish.

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(Excerpt from the Daily Wire. Photo Credit: RDNE Stock project/Pexels)