DAYTON, Ohio – A federal district court ruled Monday that a Christian organization is free to care for young female sex trafficking survivors from Montgomery County while its lawsuit against county officials proceeds.
Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing Gracehaven filed the lawsuit in December 2024 after county officials excluded it from a public program and benefit that it is otherwise qualified for—the county-administered foster care system and public funding—solely because the ministry hires only employees who share and adhere to its religious beliefs.
“The government can’t deny public benefits to a Christian ministry that is caring for young survivors of sex trafficking solely because of its religious character and exercise,” said ADF Legal Counsel Jake Reed, who argued before the court. “Gracehaven is a force for good, providing comprehensive care, support, and a safe place to call home for the most vulnerable girls in Ohio. We’re pleased the court agreed that the Constitution prohibits the county from punishing Gracehaven by excluding it from the foster care system and public funding simply because the ministry hires those who share its faith.”
“Gracehaven empowers young girls rescued from sex trafficking by helping them thrive with dignity in a renewed life,” said Gracehaven Director Scott Arnold. “Our team of Christian employees is paramount to this work. As we help these girls work through their pain and trauma and move toward living healthy, fulfilling lives, our ability to hire like-minded people of faith to carry out our mission is essential. We’re grateful for Alliance Defending Freedom’s help in securing this victory.”
“Gracehaven will likely succeed on the merits of its claim that Montgomery County’s actions violated the Free Exercise Clause because it excluded Gracehaven from an otherwise available public benefit based on Gracehaven’s choice to employ those who share the same faith,” the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio wrote in its opinion in Gracehaven v. Montgomery County Department of Job and Family Services.
Founded in 2008, Gracehaven’s sex trafficking prevention and rehabilitation work is done through a variety of programs and services, including Gracehaven’s three state-licensed therapeutic group homes. The group homes provide a trauma-informed treatment model designed to meet the needs of the young sex-trafficking survivors who often struggle with serious emotional or behavioral consequences from their abuse. Girls are placed in Gracehaven’s group homes through the foster care system, which is administered at the county level.
For several years, Montgomery County contracted with Gracehaven for “substitute” care services, where it would reimburse Gracehaven for its care with public funds. But the county suddenly decided to exclude Gracehaven last year when Gracehaven told county officials that it was not waiving or surrendering its constitutionally protected freedom to employ those who share its faith. Because of the court’s ruling, the county must work with Gracehaven while the lawsuit proceeds.
