by VDC staff
A Vermont couple has regained their foster care license following a legal dispute with state officials over required LGBTQ-related training, according to a report by Fox News.
Melinda Antonucci, 45, and her husband, Casey Mathieu, 43, reached a settlement with the Vermont Department for Children and Families after their foster care license was revoked amid disagreements over gender-related policies involving children.
According to Fox News reporters Louis Casiano and Michael Dorgan, the couple said the state required them to complete LGBTQ training as part of the foster licensing process. The training included information about medical and social gender transitions for minors.
The couple objected to participating in certain aspects of the training, citing their personal beliefs. Their license was subsequently revoked, prompting legal action.
The lawsuit was filed with the support of the Center for American Liberty, which argued the state improperly imposed ideological requirements on foster parents.
“Vermont tried to turn foster licensing into an ideological screening process,” said attorney Josh Dixon, who represented the couple, in comments reported by Fox News. He said the state conditioned foster care participation on agreement with specific viewpoints.
As part of the settlement, Antonucci and Mathieu’s foster care license has been restored, allowing them to resume fostering children in Vermont.
Fox News reported the case highlights broader national debates over parental rights, foster care policies, and gender identity requirements.
State officials have not publicly detailed the terms of the settlement, and it was not immediately clear whether any policy changes were made as part of the resolution.
The couple said they hope their case will help protect the rights of foster parents with differing beliefs while continuing to provide homes for children in need.