An update from the Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy, an independent research project
of the Rockefeller Institute of Government. The public policy research arm of the State University of New York.

New! President OK’s Spending with Mixed Results for Social Services

President George W. Bush last week signed two bills into law that will fund most of the federal government’s
programs for fiscal year 2008 and extend a children’s health insurance program. Religious organizations have
taken an active role this year in lobbying Congress on the bills, which include funding for programs that provide
social services to the poor and for controversial programs such as abstinence education.

A third bill watched closely by religious groups, the Second Chance Act, would have provided money for faith-
based mentors to ex-offenders returning to communities after prison. Despite bipartisan support, the Senate
failed to pass the bill before year’s end. It will be placed on the Senate calendar for a vote early this year after
Congress returns from its holiday break on Jan. 15.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Washington Correspondent Anne Farris.

New! Changes in FEMA Seen in 2007 Dealings with Faith Groups

When swaths of California were engulfed by wildfires in October, John Kim Cook, director of the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security's (DHS) Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, boarded a plane in Washington,
D.C. and flew to the scene of the disaster. He set up his work operations at a desk adjacent to John Chavez, the
voluntary agency liaison for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at the Pasadena regional office.
It was the first time in DHS history that a Faith-Based and Community Initiatives director had visited a disaster site
during the crisis to help marshal and coordinate the scores of grassroots voluntary organizations that are part of the
cadre of first responders at every disaster in America.

Government reaction to the California fires - which displaced one million residents, burned 368,000 acres of land and
2,000 homes, and killed 10 people - represented the largest federal disaster response since Hurricane Katrina in 2005
and served as a test of efforts to reorganize FEMA, which included developing a better working relationship with
grassroots organizations. Although the disaster wrought by the California fires could not be compared to the magnitude
of damage from Katrina, there was nonetheless a marked difference in FEMA’s response to the two events, according
to volunteer organizations.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Washington Correspondent Anne Farris.

Click here for the Roundtable’s Resource Page on Faith-Based Organizations in Disaster Response.

New! An Interview with Jack Calhoun, author of "Hope Matters"

John A. Calhoun, former president and chief executive officer of the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC),
came out in November with a book entitled Hope Matters: The Untold Story of How Faith Works in America.
Calhoun founded NCPC, a national resource center for crime prevention and community building, and served as
president for 20 years before retiring in May 2004. During his tenure, he shifted the emphasis on crime prevention
to community-oriented programs such as Community Responses to Drug Abuse, Youth as Resources,
Comprehensive Communities Programs, and Embedding Prevention in State Policy.

Calhoun spoke with the Roundtable about his new book, which tells the story of 24 people whose faith motivates
their service work.

Click here to read the interview.

Weekly Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community
Organization Eligibility

The grant opportunities this week for community and faith-based organizations are through programs administered
by the U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Justice, and USAID.

Potential applicants should be aware that some grant programs may require specific technical expertise, or
experience with particular foreign countries.

Click here for the grant digest.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Holidays are brighter for hundreds of area children, families
dcourier.com (The Daily Courier, Arizona)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7524

Lending 'a helping hand'
The Bradenton Herald (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7477

Calais Treatment Center
Bangor Daily News (Maine)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7470

Survey finds few congregations tap federal funds for services
The Times Union (Albany, New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7466

An 'Army' of bellringers
The Bismarck Tribune

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7492

Nativity scene upsets national organization Group claims creche `inherently religious'
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7503

Faith-based program aids addicts in prison
Charlotte.com (Charlotte Observer, South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7520

Amid growth, no place to go Homeless become a strain as Plymouth expands
The Boston Globe (Massachusetts)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7506

City confronts mortgage crisis Palmer forming coalition to help homeowners avoid foreclosure
The Times of Trenton (New Jersey)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7507

Visalia Shelter saving grace to troubled girls
FresnoBee.com (The Fresno Bee, California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7521

Clinics for the poor have own needs
OnlineAthens (Athens Banner-Herald, Georgia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7522

Organization hopes to retain grass-roots feel, extend REACH
herald-mail.com (The Herald Mail, Maryland)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7523

Faith-based program helps SC prisoners combat addictions
The Associated Press State & Local Wire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7508

Guiding ex-inmates' re-entry into society Dallas: Conference, handbook could ease search for aid in county
The Dallas Morning News (Texas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7509

Teacher visits aid students
The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7510

House Of Love Opens Life For Women
Charlotte Observer (North Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7511

30 Killed In Nn In 2007; Seventeen Of The City's Homicides Remain Unsolved
Daily Press (Newport News, Virginia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7512

Inmates get help against 'demons'
The State (Columbia, South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7513

An opportunity to reassemble the world
Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7514

Event benefits ministry to homeless men and women
Post-trib.com (Post-Tribune, Chicago Illinois)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7525

Maysville ministry pulls its prisoner housing plan
The Associated Press State & Local Wire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7515

Turlock Shelter Plan Still In Limbo;
City Council Is Supposed To Hear Recommendation Based On Results Of Study
Modesto Bee (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7516

Neighborhood improvement grants available for West Riverside
CITIZEN-TIMES.Com (Asheville)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7486

Police plan command center at Phoenix; Ten-Point Coalition to patrol complex, offer job training
The Indystar.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7467

Decision on hospital sale expected from AG today;
Under the transfer of two Exempla sites, women would lose access to some services.
The Denver Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7468

County seeks help in disasters
Sand Mountain Reporter

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7469

Chaplain in war zone used to seeing stress
The Associated Press State & Local Wire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7474

'I am ecstatic - so grateful'; Lydia Center gives troubled women help
Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7475

Rehab Helps Deliver A Priceless Gift
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7476

Groups help homeless
scnow.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7485

'Ain't no scrooge here'
The Herald-Sun (Durham, North Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7478

12 Who Made a Difference - Corinne Derenburger - Ryan's Hope begins at home, spreads
The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7479

Charis House gives women faith, tools to fight addictions
Pensacola News Journal (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7480

Charities take on role of government
News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7471

Counting blessings along with stitches:
Cumru woman crochets to capture the love she feels from helping others
Reading Eagle (Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7472

Inmates benefiting from ministry;
Spiritual services help lower threats at overcrowded J. Reuben Long Detention Center
The State (Columbia, South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7473

Bringing out their best: Mentoring program helps teen girls share and shine
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7481

Office chaplains work front lines of faith movement
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7482

A way out of addiction; Faith-based recovery center in Saco offers help, hope for people in crisis.
Portland Press Herald (Maine)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7483

City gets $12 million boost for homeless;
The increase in HUD funding reflects an emphasis on housing rather than services.
A main beneficiary is a planned 80-unit Center City project.
The Philadelphia Inquirer

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7487

State scores high for disaster preparedness
Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7490

Inmate sues for Norse god worship;He says denying access to religious objects is violation
Deseret Morning News (Utah)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7496

Nonprofit groups seek volunteers for holidays; Local agencies will need help distributing food, gifts to seniors
The Houston Chronicle

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7484

Green Light for Institute on Creation in Texas
The New York Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7497

Bad Reviews for GOP Field From Christian Group
The Washington Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7498

Church modifies tradition; The Rock hopes to assist community
The Myrtle Beach Sun-News (South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7501

Universal health coverage sought: Petition to ask voters to amend state constitution
Detroit Free Press (Michigan)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7493

U.N. Looks to Faith Community to Combat Global Warming
Religion News Service

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7494

Governor's homelessness effort gets a boost
Minnesota Public Radio

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7495

Leaders attempt to coordinate services for ex-offenders
Anderson Herald Bulletin (Indiana)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7499

Pastors Urge Wal-Mart to Repent This Christmas
The Christian Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7500

Iowa and prison fellowship group seeks full 8th Circuit review
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7504

Congressman, church reach out to help prevent foreclosures
Chicago Tribune

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7502

Jews and Muslims Set Up Big Interfaith Effort
The Washington Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7491

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 1/2/2008
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_1_2_08.cfm