US: Child Welfare: Various HHS Offices Provided Input on Decision to Grant Exception from Religious Nondiscrimination Requirement
Government Accountability Office – November 25, 2019
States may use federal funds for foster care contracts. Federal funding has rules that, for example, forbid religious discrimination against foster parent applicants. South Carolina is one of two states that have requested an exception to the religious discrimination rule. It argued that the rule violated faith-based foster care agencies’ rights because they had to abandon their beliefs or forego funding. HHS granted the exception. HHS’s review of South Carolina’s request involved officials from across the department, including the Deputy Secretary and officials from the Administration for Children and Families and the Office for Civil Rights.
Full Report: https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/702891.pdf

https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-20-69R