©TCLEOSE Course #2102 Crime Prevention Curriculum Part II is the intellectual property of CSCS-ICJS (2009) Institute for Criminal Justice Studies Crime Prevention Part II How to Partner Effectively with Faith-based Organizations

Learning Objectives Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify and explain the difference between a community-based organization and a faith-based organization. Learning Objective: The student will explain the origins of Faith-Based Community Initiatives (FBCI). Learning Objective: The student will be able to understand, identify and explain legal do’s and don'ts of working with Faith-Based Organizations. Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify and explain the contributions of FBIC organizations. Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify and explain assets & resources available from FBCI organizations. Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify and explain the 5-Resiliences of FBIC

GOALS 1.Review the history of faith-based community initiatives 2.Outline the legal guidelines for engaging faith-based organizations 3.Survey helpful resources

Foreword This lesson is designed to open your eyes and minds to an asset you may or may not be aware of that can help you sustain your Crime Prevention Community-based Programs.

DEFINITIONS & UNDERSTANDING What is the difference between a community-based organization and a faith-based organization?

Community-based Organizations Most people refer to community organizations as those whose governing structure involves members of the community. Some even use the zip codes of board members to determine if an organization is community-based.

Faith-based Organizations Religious congregations (church, mosque, synagogue, temple, etc.) Organizations, programs, or projects operated or sponsored by religious congregations

Faith-based Organizations Nonprofit organizations show by their mission statements Nonprofit organizations that clearly show by their mission statements, policies and/or practices that they are; religiously motivated or religiously guided institutions

Faith-based Organizations – Cont’d Organizations Organizations that, when asked, designate themselves as faith- based or religious Collaborations of organizations Collaborations of organizations led by a faith-based or religious organization or half of whose members are from one of those groups

Overview of Faith-based Community Initiatives Work of faith-based organizations not new Executive orders FBCI White House Office for Faith-Based Community Initiatives (FBCI) Cabinet-level Faith-based Centers Purpose: Level the playing field

FBCI: National Overview The FBCI’s intent is to level the playing field for community organizations (secular and faith- based) to partner with the federal government. In January 2001, President George W. Bush signed executive orders requiring five agencies to set up offices to respond to this initiative.

FBCI: National Overview In December 2002, he added two more agencies. The agencies are 1.Labor 2.Education 3.Health and Human Services 4.Justice 5.Housing and Urban Development 6.Agriculture 7.Agency for International Development.

FBCI: National Overview The administration asked agencies to achieve progress in the following five areas by July 1, Barrier removal (state level) Outreach and technical assistance Metrics Pilots and demonstrations Evaluation

Looking at the Legal Guidelines

QUIZ LEGAL DOS AND DON’TS

TRUE or FALSE 1.A faith-based organization must remove most or all of its religious symbols from its building in order to receive a federal grant. False False A faith-based organization does not have to remove most or all of its religious symbols from its building in order to receive federal grants.

TRUE or FALSE 2.Once a faith-based organization receives a federal grant, it can still discriminate in hiring employees based on their religion. True True Once a faith-based organization receives a federal grant, it can still discriminate in hiring employees based on their religion.

EXPLANATION Under the national service legislation, an organization may not discriminate on the basis of religion in hiring an employee who is paid with federal funds to work on a project. However, this provision does not apply to staff members who are supported by matching or other non- federal funds. It also does not apply to staff members who, although supported by federal grant funds, were employed with the faith-based organization prior to the grant award.

TRUE or FALSE 3.A religious leader can teach a federally funded mentor training class. True True A religious leader can teach a federally funded mentor training class.

TRUE or FALSE 4.It is legally permissible for a program that receives federal funds to support people of only one particular faith. False False It is not permissible for a program that receives federal funds to support people of only one particular faith.

TRUE or FALSE 5.An explicitly religious organization (mentioning God in its mission statement, for example), can apply for federal funding.TRUE

TRUE or FALSE 6.It is okay to pray with a child during a mentoring session? True True, but only if the program or activity is NOT supported by federal dollars. Staff or volunteer mentors who are supported by federal dollars may not engage in “inherently religious” activities, such as prayer. This does not apply to activities an individual might do on his or her own time.

TRUE or FALSE 7.Faith-based organizations must create a separate 501(c) (3) organization to receive federal grants. False False Faith-based organizations don’t have to create a separate 501(c) (3) organization to receive federal grants.

TRUE or FALSE 8.It is okay to have a prayer meeting at the same time as Senior Corps volunteers are mentoring students. True True, it is okay to have a prayer meeting at the same time as a Senior Corps mentoring session, but the two activities would have to be separated by space.

TRUE or FALSE 9.Federally funded personnel (e.g., Senior Corps volunteers) are not allowed to lead in prayer. True. Federally funded personnel (e.g., Senior Corps volunteers) are not allowed to lead in prayer as part of their federally funded duties.

TRUE or FALSE 10.Federally funded personnel (e.g., Senior Corps volunteers) can paint and maintain the church building where the student mentoring program is held. True True Volunteers can paint and maintain the church building where the student mentoring program is held.

Legal Dos: What’s Okay? Summary of Legal Analysis Direct financial support from federal agencies to faith-based organizations is permitted for secular activity.

Legal Dos: What’s Okay? Summary of Legal Analysis Indirect support (vouchers, beneficiary choice) is allowed as long as there is a genuine, independent choice among religious and secular options.

Legal Dos: What’s Okay? Summary of Legal Analysis Faith-based organizations are permitted to retain their religious identities.

Legal Dos: What’s Okay? Summary of Legal Analysis Federal funds can pay for staff time as long as that time is not being used for religious instruction, worship, or proselytizing.

Legal Dos: What’s Okay? Summary of Legal Analysis The services provided must be available to everyone regardless of religion.

Legal Dos: What’s Okay? Helpful Hints for FBOs Separate religious and secular (federally funded) activities by space and/or time. Create separate bank accounts for secular activities that have federal or government funding. Anticipate how to handle potential conflicts or issues.

Legal Dos and Don’ts: Resources Where to go for more help Where to go for more help... White House guidelines The Roundtable for Religion and Social Welfare Policy The Corporation for National and Community Service Program director/state commission Your own District Attorney Office

Contributions of FBOs Social capital Pro-social impacts Role of faith-based addressing community healthsafety problems Role of faith-based organizations in addressing community health and safety problems

Contributions of FBOs Continuum of focus for services Members/congregation Community/program services Humanitarian – national & international

Assets of FBOs Membership and youth groups Property and meeting space Presence in the community Volunteer mobilization

Assets of FBOs Information dissemination mechanism Community leadership Social justice & public health & safety advocacy

Five Resiliencies Based on National Longitudinal Survey 1.Significant Adults 2.Altruism—Service 3.Hope—Faith 4.Skills—Positive alternatives 5.Locus of Control— Voice/ownership

Ways FBOs Can Help Meeting space Communication & Education Can be a coalition member Sponsor alcohol-free activities for youth

Ways FBOs Can Help Volunteers Consistent messages from pulpit Parent training Accountability/expectations

Resources White House The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy The Corporation for National and Community Service National Criminal Justice Reference Service

Resources Faith and Service Technical Education Network Center for Public Justice Administration for Children and Families

National Crime Prevention Council 1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW Thirteenth Floor Washington, DC

DEFINE & PROCESS 1.Identify and explain the difference between a community-based organization and a faith- based organization. 2.Explain the origins of Faith-Based Community Initiatives (FBCI). 3.Identify and explain legal do’s and don'ts of working with Faith-Based Organizations. 4.Identify and explain the contributions of FBIC organizations. 5.Identify and explain assets & resources available from FBCI organizations. 6.Identify and explain the 5-Resiliences of FBIC

Contact Information 350 N. Guadalupe, Suite 140, PMB 164 San Marcos, Texas Institute for Criminal Justice Studies ©TCLEOSE Course #2101 Crime Prevention Curriculum Part I is the intellectual property of CSCS-ICJS (2009)