Doing Whose Work? Faith-Based Organizations And Government Partnerships

Abstract

In this chapter, the author describes the lands of social service programs and public funding available to congregations in the post-welfare reform environment, carefully distinguishing between congregations and national denominational charities, which are the traditional providers of faith-based services. Under HUD's broad mandate, faith-based organizations can offer transitional housing to the homeless, develop youth programs and drug prevention programs, and offer housing assistance and counseling. The Charitable Choice clause in the 1996 legislation broadens the existing opportunities for faith-based organizations to participate in government partnerships in the delivery of social services. The funding announcement explains that priority will be given to organizations coordinating with "public, private, nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations and businesses" in the local community. States and local communities have been the leaders in forging creative partnerships between faith communities and government to build the social safety net. Many congregations lack the material and professional capacity to participate in burdensome social service programs.