Vermont DCF Updates Foster-Parent Licensing Guidance Following Legal Settlements Involving LGBTQ Youth Policies

The Vermont Department for Children and Families updated its guidance for foster parents to comply with two legal settlements to complaints filed by foster parents. Going forward, DCF will no longer deny or revoke foster-parent licensure based on an applicant’s refusal to “affirm, endorse or adopt any particular views regarding gender identity, sexual orientation or related ideological concepts.”

The complaints, Wuoti v. Winters and Antonucci v. Winters, were filed by multiple foster parents with similar concerns. They alleged that DCF revoked their foster-care licenses after they expressed religious objections to certain requirements related to supporting LGBTQ+ youth . . .