In a move expected for months, the Trump administration has announced it will no longer enforce an Obama-era rule insisting that federally funded child welfare providers refrain from discrimination against adults and children based on religious values. Executive Director Sandy Santana is quoted: “At a time when we are already experiencing a severe shortage of foster homes across the country, our policies should encourage placing children with safe and loving families – period.”

On the first day of National Adoption Month, the administration published a new rule that would allow foster care and adoption agencies to discriminate against prospective parents on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and martial status — as well as other factors that could be used to refuse to place children with certain non-LGBTQ parents or couples.

Children’s Rights, the preeminent voice for children harmed by the nation’s immigration, healthcare, and child welfare systems, hosted its 14th annual Benefit & Inspiration Awards Gala at the Mandarin Oriental on Monday, raising over $1.6 million, a record. Jordan Roth served as the night’s emcee, helping to present awards to Vincent Mai, F. William McNabb, and Lexie Pèrez-Grüber for their work in service of children.

Rosario Dawson and the newest Sesame Street Muppet, Karli, pose at the Children’s Rights Inspiration Awards & Benefit Gala on Monday at the Mandarin Oriental in N.Y.C.

Plaintiffs in a long-running legal battle over Texas foster care have asked a federal judge to hold the state in contempt of court, citing in a motion many “false statements” about nighttime watches of kids and a recent blown deadline for crafting a workload study.

As part of the Interfaith Coalition for Children’s Rights, our Executive Director Sandy Santana and Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, President of Union Theological Seminary, speak out against discriminatory policies in foster fcare.

It’s past time for Texas to ditch the politics of winning and instead put these kids first, writes the Dallas Morning News Editorial Board.

“Michael Leach has a clear passion for serving kids and families and is committed to making the system better,” said Children’s Rights Litigation Director Ira Lustbader, co-counsel on South Carolina’s settlement.

After 8 ½ years, the state has quit fighting judicial oversight of long-term foster care. It’s here, and U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack says she’ll hold Texas’ feet to the fire.

“It’s really amazingly bad,” said Teresa Woody, an attorney for Kansas Appleseed. She’s one of 10 attorneys guiding this case. “I think the night-to-night placements haven’t changed. The kids, who are not going to school, who are being housed in offices during the day — that’s still continuing.”