Obama and Faith-Based Groups

We've done some work with the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (now renamed Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships) during the course of our religion work. With the change in administrations, we and others are wondering what to expect from these offices in the future. Here's a good piece from Time on the subject, talking about, among other things, the new Presidential Advisory Council and government hiring policies.

I've got no real problem

Submitted by on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 5:29pm.

I've got no real problem with giving contracting dollars to faith based groups so long as they follow non-discriminatory hiring practices. Presumably most of these groups pay less than the private sector so will predominantly get applicants that believe in the goals of the organization.

An all hands on deck approach should mean that these groups aren't turning away qualified potential hires just because they're of a different religion or sexual orientation. If discrimination is more important to them than getting the job done, than Federal dollars can find more pragmatic partners.