Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

  • Filed: Oct 29, 2026
  • Status: Active
  • Court: U.S. District Court District of Rhode Island
  • Latest Update: Oct 29, 2026
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Summary


This lawsuit was filed by a coalition of organizations to challenge unlawful new grant restrictions from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that are forcing hundreds of nonprofit organizations, domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, and a county safety net hospital to choose between accepting unlawful conditions or forgoing grant funding that is needed to offer critical services, support, and healthcare for communities. Children, youth and families, survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and other vulnerable groups will be affected if these new grant conditions are allowed to remain in place.

Case Number:
1:26-cv-00814
Attorney(s):
Aleshadaye Getachew, Anna Deffebach, Joel McElvain, Robin Thurstonp (Democracy Forward); Amy Romero, Juan Bedoya (Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island), Lynette Labinger (ACLU of RI
Partner Organizations:
Democracy Forward, Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island

Documents


News & Commentary


Nonprofit Groups, State Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Challenge Unlawful Conditions Imposed by HHS

Grant Restrictions Jeopardize Crucial Funding for Critical Services, Support and Healthcare

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Learn More About the Issues in This Case


Related News & Podcasts


News & Commentary
Oct 29, 2026
Light green background, brown shape with yellow and green image of a child and an adult holding hands.
  • First Amendment|
  • +1 Issue

Nonprofit Groups, State Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Challenge Unlawful Conditions Imposed by HHS

Grant Restrictions Jeopardize Crucial Funding for Critical Services, Support and Healthcare