By Angelia Davis // The Greenville News (South Carolina)
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday granted Greenville-based Miracle Hill Ministries an exemption to continue its faith-based foster care program that works only with Christians.
Miracle Hill has been operating its program for decades, but its recruiting policy came under scrutiny after the Obama administration implemented a new regulation for federal funding recipients shortly before the inauguration of President Donald Trump. The regulation prohibits groups receiving federal funding from discriminating on the basis of religion.
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Most of Miracle Hill’s existence comes from donations, Lehman said. But some of the funds it receives from the state DSS for reimbursements — about $600,000 a year — comes from the federal sources, Lehman said.
Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, said the committee opposes “government-funded religious discrimination,” and said the action by HHS “signals a dramatic and troubling shift.”
“This waiver shows more concern for the providers than children in need and willing foster parents,” Tyler said.
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