Church and State Relationships Explored in Mississippi's Foster Care System

Author

Olivia Gray, University of MississippiFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-10-2025

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Public Policy Leadership

First Advisor

Steven Skultety

Second Advisor

Christopher Green

Third Advisor

Patricia Digby

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

Historically, the entities of church and state were never meant to be wholly separate. Yet, varying ideas as to what this relationship should be evolved over centuries to become the notion of a separation of church and state that Americans cling to today. Despite common misconceptions regarding this ideal, Mississippi’s foster care system maintains strong and beneficial relationships with local churches throughout the state to better impact and meet the needs of foster children in local communities.

This research seeks to explore the relationship between the church and the state utilizing the example of Mississippi’s foster care system. The findings will show that a separation of church and state, in the ways in which are widely conceived today, is neither constitutional nor favorable. In reality, the state is partnering with churches through various programs to ensure better outcomes for foster children and support for their families.

This research includes an interview with members of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services agency, a conversation via email with an individual who worked within one of these church and state partnerships, an analysis of a recent Supreme Court case, and a review of the historical evidence found in Separation of Church and State, a comprehensive historical analysis of the evolution of the idea of separation, by Philip Hamburger.

Recommended Citation

Gray, Olivia, "Church and State Relationships Explored in Mississippi's Foster Care System" (2025). Honors Theses. 3253.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3253

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.