Foster Parents’ License Revoked: DCF Faces Lawsuit

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Massachusetts is facing a federal lawsuit after two couples had their foster care licenses revoked for declining to sign a state-required policy affirming a child’s sexual orientation and gender identity. The legal challenge, which involves the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), has reignited a national debate over religious liberty, constitutional rights, and the state’s foster care system.

Story Highlights

Two couples, Audrey and Nick Jones and Greg and Marianelly Schrock, are the plaintiffs. The defendant is the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF).
The couples’ foster care licenses were revoked after they refused to sign a state policy requiring them to “support, respect, and affirm the foster child’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.”
The policy is enforced by the DCF in Massachusetts. The federal lawsuit was filed in a district court.
The families, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, argue the policy violates their First Amendment rights to free speech and religious liberty.
DCF and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups defend the policy as necessary to protect vulnerable youth in state care from discrimination.
Critics argue the policy is contributing to a critical shortage of available foster homes in Massachusetts.

Two couples in Massachusetts, Audrey and Nick Jones and Greg and Marianelly Schrock, have filed a federal lawsuit against the state after their foster care licenses were revoked by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The revocation followed the couple’s refusal to sign an agreement mandating they “support, respect, and affirm the foster child’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.”

The plaintiffs contend that the policy forces them to choose between their deeply held religious beliefs and the ability to serve children in need, asserting that the state’s requirement infringes upon their constitutional rights to religious freedom and free speech. They are represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal organization involved in similar cases defending parental and religious rights.

#SaveCanada "Matt and Nicole Alexander took a stand to defend children. They were Christian teachers who were fired from public education for refusing to “celebrate and affirm” LGBTQ with children as young as three years old."https://t.co/NSelr0gqU0

— 😎 Canada First 🏳️ (@MatHayes5) November 1, 2025

Differing Views on Child Welfare

The DCF enforces the policy as part of a mandate to address the unique vulnerabilities and risks faced by LGBTQ+ youth who are placed in state custody. Officials and advocacy groups supporting the policy state that the affirmation requirement is a necessary component of child welfare, intended to shield youth from discrimination and ensure a supportive environment.

Conversely, the plaintiffs and critics of the policy argue that it constitutes a government-imposed ideological litmus test. They maintain that the state is overstepping its authority by policing the personal beliefs of foster parents, which they claim has a chilling effect on faith-motivated individuals seeking to open their homes.

Impact on the Foster Care System

The legal dispute occurs amid a reported shortage of available foster families in Massachusetts. Opponents of the DCF policy contend that removing qualified, willing parents over a disagreement on social issues is counterproductive and exacerbates the existing foster care crisis, potentially leaving children—including those with complex needs—in less stable situations.

The case is being monitored nationwide, as similar conflicts have emerged in other states where agencies face pressure to place children only with adults who fully endorse evolving social policies. The outcome of the lawsuit is expected to have national implications regarding the balance between government authority, constitutional protections, and the regulation of social service systems.

Watch the report: Woburn foster family loses license over refusal to sign LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination policy