Ohio county’s plan ends over faith-based services (July 18, 2017)

FFRF has stopped an Ohio county’s attempt to divert public dollars to exclusively religious organizations.

In August, it was brought to FFRF’s attention that Cuyahoga County had issued a “request for proposal” so that it could offer outreach services limited to faith-based organizations or coalitions of faith-based organizations. The request was intended to seek “proposals from faith-based organizations interested in providing outreach and referral activities to drive enrollment in Cuyahoga County’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program.”

In a letter to the county administration, FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line warned the county against the violation of the First Amendment.

The county responded that it would comply with constitutional requirements to be entirely neutral on matters of religion.

Freedom From Religion Foundation