Agencies Going Full Steam Ahead With Faith-Based Initiative - Nonprofit Issues

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Published: 01/13/2003

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Agencies Going Full Steam Ahead With Faith-Based Initiative

Since the President issued an Executive Order on December 12, 2002, requiring equal treatment of faith-based and secular organizations when applying for federal grants, three agencies have taken action to fill in the details with provisions that look very much like H.R. 7, the controversial version of charitable choice that passed the House of Representatives in 2001. Both the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are seeking public comments on their proposed new grant regulations. The Department of Education has issued new guidelines, with no opportunity for public comment.

In addition, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) has published Guidance to Faith-Based and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal Government, which provides information on what the OFBCI considers to be sufficient separation of government services from inherently religious activity. However, the nonpartisan Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy published Roundtable Legal Analysis: President’s Faith-Based Orders and Proposed Agency Rule Changes Raise Legal Questions January 9, 2003, which questions the administration’s approach to separation of government funded services from inherently religious activity, stating it could easily lead to interpretations that are “legally unsound,” such as mixing religious concepts with government services.

While the debate over appropriate implementation of the faith-based initiative goes on, the administration continues to slash funding for domestic programs, creating increased competition for a shrinking pot of government funding. Administration efforts to recruit more grant applicants continue through White House Conferences on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives scheduled for January 13 in Denver, CO, February 18 in San Diego, CA, and March 14 in Chicago, IL. Online registration is available.