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! Report: Nonprofits Need Government to Lead Gulf Coast Recovery

While faith-based and secular nonprofits have contributed unprecedented efforts to the long-term
recovery along the Gulf Coast over the last two years, their continuing work is ultimately no match
for the breadth of devastation wrought by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. For recovery to progress in
a timely way, only government is large enough to take on the massive work still needed. Those are
among the conclusions of a report released October 15 by the Public Affairs Research Council of
Louisiana and the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government (parent to the Roundtable on Religion
and Social Welfare Policy). “Response, Recovery, and the Role of the Nonprofit Community in the Two
Years Since Katrina and Rita” is the fifth in a series of “GulfGov Reports” from those groups examining
the aftermath of the storms on those regions.

The conclusions stand in contrast to a new disaster preparedness policy released by the White House
last week as part of its updated “National Strategy for Homeland Security.” That report calls for the
federal government to encourage citizens, the private sector, and faith-based and community groups to
play a leading role in recovery efforts.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Claire Hughes.

New! Utahns to Determine Fate of Latest School Voucher Push

State and federal programs that provide financial assistance for students to attend private schools
have expanded in recent years despite legal wrangling and fervent debates over the constitutionality
of the programs. In the most recent advancement, Utah voters will decide in three weeks if they want
to launch the nation’s broadest statewide program by providing every child, regardless of income or
school district, public money to attend a private school, even if it is a religious institution. If approved,
the program would advance a school voucher movement that, while controversial in the courts and
unpopular at ballot boxes elsewhere, has gained ground with state legislatures and the
federal government.

Religious groups are interested in the use of government-financed vouchers, including those for
education as well as other programs, as a way to indirectly finance human services that may have a
faith component. President George W. Bush has promoted vouchers as part of his Faith-Based and
Community Initiative to avoid constitutional prohibitions against directly funding services with religious
content. Courts have upheld the use of vouchers to pay for services with religious content, under
certain circumstances.

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

Register Now! Roundtable Event to Highlight New Data on FBO Services

Government officials, religious leaders, researchers and journalists often point to the social service
work of congregations and faith-based organizations. But when it comes to knowing the extent and
range of these services, little up-to-date detail has been available.

At the Roundtable’s annual conference, noted political scientist John Green of the University of Akron
will report new findings from a national survey on the services provided by congregations and faith-based
organizations, as well as on their leaders’ awareness and interest in participating in public programs to
support or extend such activities. Survey results will also include new findings on administrative practices
and organizational characteristics among congregations and faith-based organizations, with regard to their
readiness to receive and account for public funds in the form of government contracts or grants.

The findings should provide essential data for policymakers, religious leaders, researchers and others
interested in government partnerships with religious groups.

Don't miss Green’s report, at the Roundtable's annual conference, Wednesday, December 5, in
Washington D.C. The complete program will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the National Press
Club at 529 14th St. NW.

Register Now! Click here to submit your online registration.

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. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Justice,
and the United States Agency for International Development.

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

Click here for the grant digest.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Faith-based mentor program soars within Muncie Schools
TheStarPress.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7197

Affordable Housing Summit To Focus On Speedier Recovery
WLOX.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7198

Extolling faith-infused politics GOP hopeful talks of abortion, hope at dedication Mass
The Boston Globe

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7199

Pilot program hopes to reduce re-offending
The Coloradoan.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7201

Up to the challenge; Organization reaches out to those with life-controlling problems
Intelligencer Journal Staff(Lancaster, PA)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7202

Holding on to HOPE // For former prisoners, finding housing and transportation can
be discouraging finding employment after prison can seem impossible
Patriot News (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7203

Women's shelter offers spiritual support group
The Wichita Eagle (Kansas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7204

Compassionate centrism;Lexington
The Economist

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7200

Federal grant to help ex-convicts deal with substance abuse issues
The Plain Bureau (colombus)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7207

Faith-based prisons multiply
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7208

A New Way to Fight Crime; Ministers trained in crisis, gang intervention do ride-alongs
with police in effort to improve the quality of life in Gulfton; HPD, pastors work together
The Houston Chronicle

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7205

Board asks faith groups to mentor parolees
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7206

House Approves Affordable Housing Trust Fund
US Fed News

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7210

Baucus talks to church and charitable groups
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7211

N.O. mental health services funded
The Advocate

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7212