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! Maryland Gov and Lawmakers Unite to Support Nonprofit Outreach

On July 1, the four-year-old Maryland Office of Community Initiatives will become a statutory office
codified by law. It took an executive order from the governor to establish the office in 2004, after state
legislators repeatedly blocked its creation. But this year, in April, the Maryland General Assembly passed
a bill to authorize the office, which since 2007 has grown larger in size and scope while minimizing the role
of religious organizations. Establishing the office statutorily means it cannot be eliminated or changed by
future gubernatorial administrations without legislative action.

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) signed the bill in May, following a series of changes he has made since
inheriting the office from his Republican predecessor. In its expanded mission and purview, the office gives
new emphasis to cultural and ethnic communities and is the state information center for volunteer opportunities.
It now downplays the previously central role of religious organizations in partnering with government to provide
social services.

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

New! An Interview with Cheryl Hill of the Maryland Office of Community Initiatives

Cheryl Hill is the Faith-Based Outreach Coordinator for the Maryland Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives,
where she assists faith and community organizations in building their capacity to help the needy. Hill has held
her position in the administrations of both Gov. Robert Ehrlich and Gov. Martin O’Malley.

An ordained non-denominational Christian pastor, Hill is also the founder of Simply Truth International Ministries
(STIM), a network that organizes conferences, distributes literature and works to nurture and equip leaders who
apply their religious beliefs in their jobs and the world. And she is executive vice president of Maxser Consulting
Group, LLC, which provides consulting, training, facilitating and coaching to entrepreneurs, faith-based organizations
and community leaders looking to develop partnerships with government and international representatives.

Click here to read the interview.

New! Lawsuit Challenges Changes Proposed to Allow School Vouchers in Florida

Educators and church-state separationists have mounted a legal challenge against two proposed changes to
the Florida state Constitution – including one that now prohibits financing of religious organizations – which
could open the door to school vouchers. Individuals belonging to, or represented by lawyers from, the American
Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the National Education Association,
People for the American Way and other groups filed a lawsuit June 13 charging that a special Florida
commission went beyond its authority in proposing that the two amendments be placed on Florida ballots in
the November general election. Further, the lawsuit asserts, the ballot language for one of the proposals is
misleading, in violation of state constitutional requirements.

A member of the commission and former policy director for Gov. Jeb Bush countered that the amendments
fall squarely within the commission’s domain, as they deal with major government expenditures – on education
and on social services provided by religious groups. And, he said, the commission combined proposals not to
be misleading, but to prevent having a ballot that was too lengthy and overwhelming for voters.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Claire Hughes.

New! D.C. Voucher Program Debated as Review Shows Few Gains

As a school voucher program promoted by former Gov. Jeb Bush is the subject of debate in Florida, a voucher
pilot program promoted by President George W. Bush is under consideration in the nation’s capital. Congress
is discussing whether to reauthorize the five-year-old Washington, D.C. pilot, which provides federal money for
tuition to low-income students to attend private schools, including religious ones. The U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government this week took up the President’s request for
$18 million to continue the program, conceived as a model for national expansion. The U.S. Education
Department’s Institute of Education Sciences on Monday released a report studying 19 months of student
participation in the program, which showed no statistically significant difference in test scores between eligible
students offered vouchers for private schools and eligible students who were not offered vouchers. The research,
however, also showed that the program had a positive impact on parent satisfaction and parent perception of
school safety – though not on student satisfaction and perception of safety.

Click here for the Education Department's report on the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.

Click here for a Roundtable Resource Page on vouchers and indirect financing of faith-based services.

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. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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

Habitat Breaks Ground, And Neighbors Get Riled
Sarasota Herald Tribune

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8413

Federal Report Finds Little Gain From School Vouchers
The Washington Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8419

Macon's Grant Matter Remains Murky
The Macon Telegraph (Georgia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8427

Flood Victims Still Need Help
KTEN News

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8420

Advocates Call For NJ Housing Reform
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8421

Stopping Malaria's Death March
The Baltimore Sun

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8422

Fixing Lives--Lemoyne-Based Agency Helps Disabled Around The World
Patriot News (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8423

Coalition Forms to Help Those Arrested at Pilgrim's Pride
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8424

Local Group to Apply For Federal Grant
The Anniston Star (Alabama)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8414

Faith Leaders Aim To Widen Values Debate
The Denver Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8415

Lawmakers Talk Poverty with Religious Leaders
National Public Radio (NPR)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8416

Saying 'We Do!' -- 4 Couples' Weddings Called 'Dream Come True'
Patriot News (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8425

Va. Mosque Reaches Out, Joining Immigrant Fabric
The Washington Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8426

Teacher's Union Goes To Court To Stop Voucher Amendments
Palm Beach Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8428

Planned Parenthood Pushes for Real Sex Ed
The York Dispatch (Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8417

Christian Groups Respond to Midwest Flood
The Christian Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8418

Helping Hand Reaches Out Farther to Fill Greater Needs; Services Agency Moves North at Critical Time
The Washington Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8408

Helping Ex-Cons to Work It Out; Task Force Will Help Them Find Jobs
Herald News (Passaic County, NJ)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8409

Reaching Out To the Homeless; The Lord's Place Program Helps People Find Hope
Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8410

Seminole Co. turns to higher power
AM580 WDBO

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8405

$30 Goes a Long Way; Angel Food Ministries Program May Be Cost-Saver for Your Family
Grand Rapid Press (Michigan)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8407

Gov. Matt Blunt's Faith-Based Initiative Hosts Disaster Relief Symposium
The Missourian

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8406

Troubled Youths Find Guidance at Nebraska Ranch
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8411

Government money comes with strings
The Anniston Star

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8429