Pacific Justice Institute Defends Oregon Couple Barred From Foster Care Over Religious Beliefs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2026

Pacific Justice Institute Defends Oregon Couple Barred From Foster Care Over Religious Beliefs

Case challenges state policy that excludes faith-based families from caring for vulnerable children

SALEM, Ore. - Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) is defending Shawn Kellim and Teresa Kellim, a Christian couple from southern Oregon who were denied the opportunity to become foster parents after Oregon officials required them to agree to ideological conditions that conflicted with their sincerely held religious beliefs.

The case, Kellim v. Oregon Department of Human Services, stems from the Kellims' 2021 application to become licensed foster parents through the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), the state agency responsible for administering Oregon's foster care system. During the licensing process, DHS informed the Kellims that Oregon law requires prospective foster parents to commit to providing "affirming" care to foster children should a child identify as LGBT+.

That requirement arises from Oregon's child welfare regulations under Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 413, which govern foster care licensing and standards of care. Because the Kellims could not agree to provide care that contradicted their Christian beliefs, DHS denied their foster care license.

PJI challenged that denial before the Oregon Office of Administrative Hearings, the state body that reviews agency licensing decisions. In that proceeding, the administrative law judge concluded that it would be harmful for children who identify as LGBT+ to be placed in homes where those beliefs are not affirmed, effectively excluding Christian families like the Kellims from Oregon's foster care system.

PJI appealed the ruling to the Oregon Court of Appeals, where the case has been pending since 2024. The appeal raises serious constitutional questions under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects both the free exercise of religion and freedom of speech.

"This case asks whether the state can disqualify people of faith from foster care solely because of their religious beliefs," said Ray Hacke, Pacific Justice Institute attorney for the Kellims. "The Constitution does not permit the government to impose ideological conditions that effectively bar Christian families from caring for children who need stable and loving homes."

Shawn Kellim said the couple's desire to foster children comes from a sincere calling to serve.

"My wife and I simply wanted to open our home to a child in need," Kellim said. "We believe caring for children is a calling, not a political statement. We were never seeking to harm anyone. We wanted the opportunity to love, protect, and support a child while remaining faithful to our beliefs."

PJI Founder and President Brad Dacus said the case reflects a broader trend of government agencies imposing belief-based requirements that exclude religious families from public programs.

"Oregon is telling families that unless they abandon their faith, they are unfit to serve children," Dacus said. "At a time when there is a shortage of foster parents, the state is shrinking the pool by enforcing ideological standards that violate constitutional freedoms and deprive children of caring homes."

PJI maintains that excluding qualified families based on religious belief reduces the number of available foster homes and undermines the best interests of children who need stability, consistency, and compassion.

Pacific Justice Institute has stated it will continue defending parents like Shawn and Teresa Kellim and challenging policies nationwide that prevent people of faith from participating in foster care and adoption while remaining true to their convictions.

For more information about this case or Pacific Justice Institute, visit www.pacificjustice.org.

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