Implementing the Federal Faith-Based Agenda: Charitable Choice and Compassion Capital Initiatives

The Urban Institute examined state and local contracting under three block grant programs with "Charitable Choice" provisions, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT), and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)-and one discretionary program aimed specifically at engaging faith based organizations in public contracting, the Compassion Capital Fund. This article provides information on the role of faith within publicly funded programs.