Religious Rights of Youth in Out-of-Home Care - Vermont

Date: January 2024

Youths' Religious Rights
Citation: Code of Rules § 13-162-007

All foster parents are prohibited from engaging in any form of discrimination against a foster child based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or political beliefs. Applicants and foster parents shall exhibit respect for the worth of all individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, culture, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual identity, and physical or mental ability.

Agency Responsibilities 
Citation: Code of Rules §§ 13-162-007; 13-172-001

Foster parents shall respect the religious beliefs and cultural heritage of a child in foster care and shall not interfere with the reasonable practice of the child's religious beliefs. Foster parents shall not coerce the child into participating in religious activities or ethnic events against the child's will.

A residential treatment program with religious affiliations or expectations for participation shall include such information in the program description. The program shall make every effort to accommodate a youth's desire to attend and/or participate in religious activities and services in accordance with their own faith.

Addressing Grievances
Citation: Code of Rules § 13-172-001

A residential treatment program shall ensure that children and youth have the right to file complaints and grievances without fear of retaliation.  

Upon placement, a residential treatment program shall provide children, youth, families, and custodians with a clear and simple written statement that includes the following:  

  • The procedure used to report complaints or grievances, including timelines and accessible reporting formats 
  • Assurance that the complaint may be submitted to someone other than the individual named in the complaint 
  • Assurance that retaliation will not be tolerated 
  • An opportunity for the child, youth, family member, custodian, or staff member to present their version of events and to present witnesses 
  • A process for informing the complainant of the results 
  • A process for appeal 
  • Contact information for the licensing authority 
  • Contact information for the State-designated protection and advocacy system 

For more information, see DCF'S Nondiscrimination Policy/Grievance Policy.

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