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! Program Seeks to Prepare Ex-Cons for Work, Provide Model for
Social Service Vouchers

A new voucher-like program to prepare ex-convicts for work was launched by the U.S. Department
of Labor last month, with the hope it will become a model for how social service recipients can
legally pay for religiously based programs with government funds. The program seeks to address
the need for services for the 650,000 inmates who are released from federal or state prison each year.
Joblessness among ex-offenders has been linked to high rates of return to prison, according to the Labor
Department. Officials also point to the need to address education, substance abuse and mental health
issues in order to prepare ex-prisoners for productive work.

And in addition to its specific goals in addressing ex-inmates’ needs, the Labor Department also sees
the program as a “beneficiary choice” pilot, according its bid solicitation in the Federal Register in April.
Akin to vouchers, “beneficiary choice” models allow participants to choose programs that are either secular
 or religious, even when taxpayer funds are being used.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Claire Hughes.

Click here for the Roundtable’s Resource Page on Indirect Financing of Faith-Based Social Services,
which includes discussion of voucher programs and beneficiary choice models.

New! Religious Groups Wrangle Over Children’s Health Insurance

With time running short, and members of Congress scattered among their home districts, religious
and other groups are mobilizing to reshape legislation to expand a key program providing health
coverage for uninsured children, amidst the threat of a presidential veto. Shortly before breaking for
recess until September 4, the House and Senate last week passed their own versions of legislation
to continue and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, now set to expire September
30. But significant differences between the bills need to be resolved before a common version can be
put to a final vote. SCHIP is a national program designed for families who earn too much money to
qualify for Medicaid, yet cannot afford to buy private insurance. The specifics vary by state but in
general, the program provides coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, hospitalizations, and
emergency room visits.

A coalition of religious organizations has advanced a campaign in support of a $60 billion expansion
of SCHIP. The coalition released a letter signed by 300 clergy and sponsored prayer services and
congressional appeals in 25 cities to raise support for an extension of SCHIP and coverage to all
eligible children. Opposition to the proposals in Congress emerged from other religious organizations,
however, including from some who had previously championed expansion of the SCHIP program.
Several provisions of the bills were at issue, with concerns especially raised about the measure
adopted in the House.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent David Wright.

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 Housing
and Urban Development, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

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, compiled by Roundtable Correspondent Allison Sarnoff with
Lisa Montiel.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Battle over the lease
Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6859

In Exeter: Saving homeless families
SeacoastOnline (New Hampshire)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6860

Most giving doesn't aid poor
The Record (NorthJersyey.com) (New Jersey)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6874

Church dispute heads to state Supreme Court
Union-Tribune (SignOnSanDiego.com) (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6875

Dream builder;Habitat for Humanity director educates homebuyers to ensure financial success
Memphis Business Journal (Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6880

Online course helps congregations deal with sex offenders who want to join in worship
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6861

Faith fuels affordable housing
ReligionLink.org

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6862

Shelter gives men new hope
Tallahassee Democrat (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6863

Ex-members' event aims to keep others out of gang life
Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6864

Drawing them in; Churches hope kids who enjoy VBS programs will bolster congregations
The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6865

Church program offers alternative to prison
The Associated Press State & Local Wire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6881

Minister launches Web site for urban Christians
Inside Bay Area (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6882

Support group for those in pain needs new leader
The Virginian-Pilot (Virginia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6883

Does the Bible have a place in public schools? New legal mandates and the rise of two
national curricula are driving a surge in the number of classes -- and the debate over how they're taught.
Los Angeles Times (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6876

Literacy business owner suing government
FLORIDA TODAY (Brevard County, Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6877

Faith & Values: A helping hand for poor; Norcross co-op puts variety of
resources under one roof to assist people struggling to survive
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Georgia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6884

Teen summer work program applauded
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6885

Group helps spread love, support: Celebrate Life ministry helps women
dealing with abuse, addiction and depression.
The Idaho Statesman (Boise)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6866

Interfaith Child Care Center Continues To Grow
The Roanoke Times (Virginia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6867

Faith healers
Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6868

Family outreach
Tallahassee Democrat (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6869

Working-ranch program gives boys a leg up
Tulsa World (Oklahoma)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6870

Get blown away by the miracles at Hurricane Party
The Walson Sun (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6871

Faith & Media: Citizens For Community Values
The Wichita Eagle (Kansas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6872

As violence persists, help proves elusive
Buffalo News (New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6873

Faith-based office downsized
The Florida Times-Union

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6879

A BRIDGE over Troubled Water
The Baltimore Chronicle (Maryland)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6842

Lee County EMA Prepares Citizens For Disasters
WTVM-TV (Alabama)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6843

Faith-based groups restore Pas woman's home
The Mississippi Press (Mississippi)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6844

Shelter Inc. works to end homelessness
Contra Costa Times (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6845

Communities of Faith: At-risk girls get a little back-to-school pampering
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Georgia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6846

Ministers have financial ties to developer; Hunters Point shipyard condos
safe and important, they say- some with health fears outraged
The San Francisco Chronicle (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6847

Education officials accused of religious bias: faith-based education provider
says her company was the target of a "witch hunt."
St. Petersburg Times (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6886

Education officials accused of religious bias
St. Petersburg Times (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6854

State workers pitch in to help Colorado Cares: Workers deliver food items to Prowers, Bent counties
The Lamar Ledger (Colorado)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6848

Samaritan House joins forces with United Way
The Times and Democrat (South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6849

Church committee supplies homeless children with new shoes
Ocala.com (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6850

A place of peace: Vietnam veterans to lead new support group
Allied News (Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6851

Millions Dedicated To Oliver Housing
The Baltimore Sun (Maryland)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6852

New Orleans Churches Rebuild, Slowly
Religion News Service

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6853

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 8/7/2007
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_8_7_07.cfm