Halt ordered to funding of faith-based program

MADISON, Wis. — A federal judge has ordered the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to halt funding of a faith-based Milwaukee program that helps troubled fathers with job training and drug treatment.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb issued the order Jan. 8 after a lawsuit was filed by the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation opposing money going to the Faith Works program, the Associated Press reported.

In her ruling, Crabb said the grants from the Department of Workforce Development were unconstitutional because they amount to “unrestricted, direct funding of an organization that engages in religious indoctrination.”