Stamp of approval

Charity: Bush administration reverses policy for faith-based rehab | Jamie Dean

When thousands of men and women working to overcome drug and alcohol addiction at Teen Challenge centers across the United States bow their heads to give thanks for their daily bread this week, they'll have an additional reason to be thankful: A reversal of Bush administration policy means residents of the Christian-based treatment program won't be forced to choose between food stamps and faith-based recovery.

Two weeks ago WORLD reported that Department of Agriculture (USDA) field offices in Massachusetts and Texas had told Teen Challenge that program residents could no longer receive food stamps because Teen Challenge centers are not licensed by their respective states.

The department cut off food stamps from Teen Challenge residents in Oregon and Florida as well. Though Teen Challenge maintains tough internal standards and meets all local safety and health requirements, the centers refuse to pursue state licensure, saying it would force them to trade their faith-based model for a "disease model" that denies addiction is a manifestation of sin.