E-Newsletter for November 18, 2008

In this issue:

  • New! At Finish, Faith-Based Initiative Gets Mixed Reviews
  • Save the Date! Dec. 2: Roundtable Legal Experts to Explore Changes During Bush Years
  • Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community Organization Eligibility
  • Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

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! At Finish, Faith-Based Initiative Gets Mixed Reviews

In the final months of George W. Bush’s presidency, reviews are mixed on the Administration’s Faith-
Based and Community Initiative, which has fundamentally altered the government’s strategy to assist
America’s poor since 2001. Supporters say the Initiative removed discriminating barriers against religious
organizations, “leveled the playing field” for them to receive government grants, and brought more
compassionate and personalized government-funded services to children of prisoners, drug addicts, the
homeless and HIV/AIDS patients. Critics charge the Initiative was used to woo political support, violated
constitutional provisions for separation of church and state, and failed to provide promised money for
social programs.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondents Anne Farris and Claire Hughes.

Watch future Roundtable newsletters for a Q&A discussion on the legacy of the Faith-Based
and Community Initiative.


Register Now! Roundtable Legal Experts to Explore Changes During Bush Years

The Roundtable’s noted legal experts, Professors Ira C. Lupu and Robert W. Tuttle of George Washington
University Law School, have closely watched and commented on the legal developments surrounding the Faith-
Based and Community Initiative since President George W. Bush launched that effort in 2001. Their annual
“State of the Law” reports, drawing on their finely honed insights and long-term perspectives, have become must
-reads for those interested in keeping up with significant changes in laws affecting government partnerships with
religious groups. In their upcoming 2008 report, they not only look back over the last year, but over the last eight
years – and even into the future of the next administration – to examine what the changes wrought under President
Bush might mean for such partnerships going forward.

Professors Lupu and Tuttle will present their findings at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on
Tuesday, December 2 at 9 a.m. Attendance is free.

Click here to register for the event.


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 by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

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

Click here for the grants digest.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Protests Over A Rule To Protect Health Providers
The New York Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9135


Bridging the Gap; Call To Aid Ex-Convicts Sold Salesman on New Life of Service
The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9136


A Roof Over Their Heads
The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9137


Cardinal Calls For Broad-Based Legalization Plan
The Houston Chronicle

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9138


Parishes Offer Practical, Spiritual Support for the Unemployed
Catholic News Service

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9139


Pantries Come Up Bare As Economy Worsens
The Valley News-Dispatch (Tarentum, Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9104


FACE Mixes Church, Politics to Help Community
The Maui News (Hawaii)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9105


Hard Times Test Faith-Based Groups
Daily News Record (Harrisonburg, Virginia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9106


Economy Strains Services
St. Petersburg Times (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9107


Sharing Shelter
The Wichita Eagle

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9108


Homeless Shelter To Open Late; High Demand Expected
Ventura County Star (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9109


Advocates Call For Making Hunger One of the Country's Top Priorities
Catholic News Service

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9110


Youngsters Learning Leadership Skills
The Californian (Salinas, California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9111


Faith Back In School; Community Leaders Discuss Having After- School Programs At Faith-Based Locations
Zanesville Times Recorder

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9112


Youth Ministry Opens Gym for Teens
The Lebanon Daily News (Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9113


Dakota County/Churches Are Key Part Of Program For War Veterans
St. Paul Pioneer Press (Minnesota)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9114


Institute to Focus on Western Louisville
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9115


What Can One Person Do To Stop Human Trafficking?
Rhode Island Catholic

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9116


Salvation Army Starts Kettle Campaign Early
The Valley Independent (Monessen, Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9117


Survey Finds Financial Need
The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9118


Some Left With Little Faith in Initiative
The Virginian-Pilot(Norfolk, VA.)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9119


Tap $1B Reserves, Some Say
Newsday (New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9120


Faith-Based Coalition Sponsors Food Drive
TBO.com (Tampa Bay, Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9121


C-CAP’s Heating Subsidies Must End
The Winchester Star

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9122


When the Cupboard Is Bare
New York Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9123


Economic Crisis at Top Of Congressional Agenda
Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9124


Ohio Opens Small Business Center in Wilmington
The Business Courier (Cincinnati)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9125


Faith-Based Center Cares For Uninsured
NewsChief.com (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9126


County Keeps No-Rent Deal
The Myrtle Beach Sun-News (South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9127


Citizens Bank Foundation Aids with Food, Fuel
Boston Business Journal

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9128


Confronting the Healthcare Crisis
Reform Judaism Magazine

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9140


Weekly Opinion Roundup - 11/18/2008
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_11_18_08.cfm

The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy promotes informed debate on the issue of publicly funded faith-based social service. Supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Roundtable provides independent, non-partisan research on the scope and scale of faith-based social services, their effectiveness, how public resources are being used in providing such services, and the legal and regulatory issues involved. The Roundtable's comprehensive web site makes this research and related information easily available. It can be accessed by clicking here:

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The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy