Grant Resources
U.S. Department of Labor Announces Online Tool for Grant Applicants
The U.S. Department of Labor launched an online suite of resources for grant applicants. Created by the department's Employment and Training Administration, the new site introduces potential grantees to ETA grants and provides examples to guide applicants through the process of applying. Included on the site are an Annotated Sample Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA); an interactive, self-paced tutorial on the ETA grant-making process; and a compilation of resources to help prospective applicants develop competitive grant applications. To view the tool, visit: www.workforce3one.org/page/grants_toolkit.
Directory of Foundation Workforce and Economic Development Grants
Organizations that focus on workforce development and job training are a significant asset to their communities. Many corporate and private foundations see the value in these community organizations reaching their neighbors and want to help. This new resource can help bridge the gap between funding and services for many community organizations.
The Directory of Foundation Workforce Development Grant Opportunities booklet is a resource for these organizations looking for funding opportunities for their workforce development or economic development programs. This directory provides a detailed list of private and corporate foundations that provide grant opportunities to Faith- and Community-based Organizations in order to give these organizations a clear and concise tool to pursue grants. The directory provides a detailed explanation of each grant and contact information to more easily determine eligibility.
Directory of Foundation Workforce Grant Opportunities (PDF)
Guides and Best Practices
The White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships has developed a comprehensive partnership guide, Partnerships for the Common Good (PDF). The guide provides faith-based and community organizations with information about opportunities to form partnerships across government, on issues from housing to job creation, summer feeding programs, responsible fatherhood and disaster response. From providing information to community groups on health care access, or helping congregations interested in "greening" their facilities, or key information for nonprofit groups on providing job training for veterans, the White House Office and Centers for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships are executing the vision set forth by President Obama to lead our nation forward, for the common good.
Reentry Partnerships: A Guide for States & Faith-Based and Community Organizations
The U.S. Department of Labor, Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice, in conjunction with the Council of State Governments Justice Center, announce the release of Reentry Partnerships: A Guide for States & Faith-Based and Community Organizations.
Reentry Partnerships is written for state government officials and representatives of faith-based and community organizations who want to create and sustain collaborative efforts to reduce recidivism and to help people returning to the community from prisons or jails lead productive and law-abiding lives. Project staff is in the process of developing a concise companion tool as a checklist for guide implementation and to facilitate discussions between government agencies and community-based providers to overcome barriers to coordinated reentry efforts. The toolkit will also be posted once it becomes available.
Tool Kit No. 6: Engaging and Partnering with Faith-Based Organizations in Initiatives for Children, Youth, and Families
This toolkit provides checklists, suggestions, case studies, and resources for how to recruit and support partners from the faith-based community in efforts to strengthen, improve, or redesign systems of care for children, youth, and families. The information is intended to help demonstration sites connect to faith-based organizations and networks that share the common purpose of helping children and their families in need of support, yet operate within a framework different from that of government and public systems.
Demystifying the Rehabilitation Act: What Faith-Based and Community Organizations Need to Know About Using Federal Financial Assistance to Serve People with Disabilities
http://www.dol.gov/odep/documents/d5a98495_a6f7_4e3f_a1db_6475c990eb20.pdf
Getting Involved
OneStar Foundation launches a Volunteer Portal
At the request of the Governor's Office, the OneStar Foundation has launched www.VolunteerTX.org for unaffiliated volunteers to sign up and learn about specific needs and service opportunities.
Please sign up at www.VolunteerTX.org to get involved and help with the recovery!
Looking for a way to serve that's right for you?
Serve.gov is a new portal for you and all Americans to find your own ways to serve in your own communities. Just choose whatever interests you — and type in your zip code to see what opportunities our partner organizations have in your area. Americans are putting their own country back on the right track, be a part of it.
The Texas Workforce Commission has established a Bulletin Board to enhance communication networking among local workforce development boards, faith-based and non-profit community-based organizations, service providers and the public who are interested in workforce development and support services.
These services may include: job-search, job-readiness, job-skills training programs; Literacy, General Educational Development (GED) and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs; food, shelter, and clothing; social services and referral; child care and transportation; and counseling services among others.
Faith-based and non-profit community-based organizations may enter their name, address, telephone number, and services available to be posted on a Bulletin Board. This information will be available to the public, boards and workforce service providers searching for organizations offering workforce and support services in their areas.
Charitable Choice Bulletin Board
- For support questions related to the Charitable Choice Bulletin Board, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.
- To obtain additional Charitable Choice information or services, please contact your local workforce development board.
Charitable Choice Basics and History
"What is Charitable Choice?" at the US Department of Health & Human Services
Personal Responsibility Act
Charitable Choice originated with the introduction of Sec. 104 in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, H.R. 3734. The purpose of Sec. 104 is to allow states to contract with charitable, religious or private organizations, when they (the state) enter into purchase of service agreements or voucher arrangements with non-governmental organizations under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Charitable Choice also applies to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and to the food stamp and Medicaid programs to the extent that the state uses contracts or vouchers with non-governmental providers.
Faith In Action Report (PDF)
Former Governor Bush created a Faith-Based Task Force in May 1996 to (1) survey Texas' legal and regulatory landscape to identify obstacles to faith-based groups, and (2) recommend ways Texas can create an environment in which these groups can thrive, free of regulations that dilute the "faith factor." The former Governor's Faith-Based Task Force was comprised of 16 clergy and volunteer leaders from across Texas. This diverse body – diverse theologically, denominationally, ethnically and geographically – met throughout 1996 and presented a written report, Faith in Action and recommendations to Governor Bush on December 17, 1996.
Governor's Executive Order - GWB 96-10
In December 1996, the Governor issued an Executive Order directing state agencies to begin aggressive implementation of the landmark "charitable choice" provision of the federal welfare law, which invites private and religious charities to deliver welfare services – while at the same time guarding the religious integrity of participating groups and religious freedom of beneficiaries. The Texas Workforce Commission, along with the local workforce development boards has actively executed the provisions set forth by the Governor in Executive Order (GWB 96-10) through partnerships with faith-based and community-based organizations.
Center for Public Justice: A Guide to Charitable Choice
Faith-Based and Community Partnerships
State of Texas Faith-Based and Community Initiative
OneStar Foundation Interagency Coordinating Group
Texas Legal Services Center Provides Assistance
The Texas Legal Services Center is a non-profit organization providing assistance to all Texans, especially those of modest means. One of their current projects is to inform Texans about the Earned Income Tax Credit and I Can E-file, a tax-filing website that can be accessed from any computer and is free to all. Additionally, the Texas Legal Services Center sponsors several programs that would directly benefit clients of charitable, faith-based, and community based organizations, such as the Legal Hotline for Older Texans; the Victims Initiative for Counseling, Advocacy and the Restoration of the Southwest (VICARS), which provides direct legal assistance to victims of identity theft and financial fraud in Texas; Texas Health Law, which provides assistance with healthcare access and payments; and the Texas Law Help, which provides free online resources and low-cost civil legal assistance.
Please contact the Texas Legal Services Center at 512-477-6000 with any questions.
Federal Government
The White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships
The White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships within the Domestic Policy Council works to form partnerships between the Federal Government and faith-based and neighborhood organizations to more effectively serve Americans in need. Link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ofbnp
Joshua DuBois, Executive DirectorPhone: (202) 456-3394
Email: whpartnerships@who.eop.gov
The Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Labor implements Secretary Hilda L. Solis' vision of Good Jobs for Everyone by building partnerships with faith-based groups, community organizations, and neighborhood leaders. The Center works in collaboration with DOL agencies to improve the lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged workers and job seekers. Link: http://www.dol.gov/cfbnp/
USDOL’s Center for Faith-based and Neighbor Partnerships
Federal Centers for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships
Texas Legislation
House Bill 492 which passed during the 81st Texas Legislative session, establishes several new initiatives to strengthen the capacity of faith and community-based organizations to serve their communities, including a task force charged with reporting to lawmakers on barriers to nonprofit effectiveness and potential reforms. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is the state agency with primary responsibility for implementing HB 492. HHSC is implementing the bill through a partnership with the OneStar Foundation, Texas' State Commission on National and Community Service and the home of the Governor's Office of Faith and Community-Based Initiatives.
Interagency Coordinating Group (ICG): the bill establishes community liaisons in 14 state agencies tasked with improving coordination and removing barriers to public/nonprofit partnership. The liaisons form the Interagency Coordinating Group, which works across agencies and programs. Significantly, the participating agencies are not only the state's traditional social service agencies but include the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and the Texas Workforce Commission, among others.
Renewing Our Communities Account (ROCA): the bill authorizes a pool of state funds to be granted to small and medium-sized nonprofits and local governments for nonprofit capacity building activities. OneStar has just completed the first funding cycle for ROCA.
Task Force on Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity: the bill requires HHSC to establish a task force of experts from nonprofit-related fields to take public testimony and make legislative recommendations for strengthening nonprofit capacity in Texas. The task force is currently holding public hearings and is also conducting a survey to gather input from the nonprofit community.
Federal Legislation and Regulations
Federal Legislation
Enter keywords "Charitable Choice" to search for legislation on this topic.
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, H.R. 3734, 104th Congress, 2d Session, P.L. 104-193
Establishes the use of Charitable Choice.
Equal Treatment Standards Regulations
Equal Treatment Standards
The federal regulations regarding equal treatment standards for faith and community-based organizations published in the Federal Register: July 12, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 132)