In the closing weeks of the Obama administration, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) put in place a change to one of the regulations that apply to all of its grants, adding the requirement that all of its grantees must not discriminate on the bases of religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity, among other characteristics. There was no exemption for religious organizations. The Trump administration, arguing that the regulatory change had not been made properly and that the nondiscrimination requirements are not justified by any law, in its closing weeks finalized a change–the regulation was now simply to stress that […]

Before Christmas the Build Back Better Act (BBBA—H.R. 5376) was actively being considered by the Senate after passing the House. The bill includes many of President Biden’s domestic policy priorities. Among other initiatives, it proposes greatly increased federal subsidies for child care and a new, free, universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) program. Proponents of BBBA say that they intend faith-based organizations to participate in helping to supply the additional subsidized child care and the additional preK classrooms. Yet the language in the bill as it passed the House includes many elements that would make it impossible for many faith-based providers to participate. IRFA, along […]

The federal Community Services Block Grant program (CSBG) provides federal funding to states to organize in poorer communities specialized organizations called Community Action Agencies (CAAs). These Agencies provide anti-poverty services and they also collaborate with existing community organizations and religious groups that provide their own services to help people and families develop out of poverty. The Community Action program, in which residents and organizations of a poor community are themselves to help guide the efforts meant to help them, stems back to President Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1964 War on Poverty. In order to make the program more effective, Charitable Choice language […]

Jasmine Jarrell was eight when she entered the foster care system. She was placed in multiple foster family and group homes far away from her hometown and denied access to a phone. After feeling dehumanized by her placements, she left to try to reconnect with her family. Jasmine was arrested and placed in juvenile detention a total of seven times. She wasn’t violent; her only “crime” was leaving her placement or arriving late for group sessions. She dropped out of high school after the police showed up to arrest her at school. She was an honor student. At 16, she was […]

This interview is part of Shared Justice’s Transformative Justice series running throughout January and February. The series explores one of the most urgent areas for reform within the juvenile justice system: juvenile probation. Focusing on promising practices in diversion and prevention, including Credible Messenger Mentoring, the series will highlight opportunities for government and civil society to create a juvenile justice system that is more equitable, effective, and restorative. Katie Thompson: You serve as the lead pastor at The Path Church, and you’re also the co-founder of the AND Campaign, an organization committed to educating and organizing Christians for civic engagement. Why […]