Responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture and the Agency for International Development With Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

This executive order creates Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Centers within the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development to identify and remove barriers preventing religious and community organizations from participating in federal social service programs. The Centers must begin operations within 45 days and submit their first reports with performance indicators within 180 days.

Federal Register Open PDF 67 FR 77145

Impact dates

Dec 12, 2003
Annual reports due thereafter
Jun 10, 2003
First report due with annual performance indicators and measurable objectives
Jan 26, 2003
Centers begin operations

Key directives

Establish Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at Department of Agriculture
Establish Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at USAID
Appoint Directors in consultation with White House OFBCI
Provide staff and resources to Centers
Begin operations no later than 45 days from order date
Conduct agency-wide audit of barriers to faith-based organization participation
Coordinate comprehensive effort to incorporate faith-based organizations
Propose initiatives to remove identified barriers
Propose innovative pilot and demonstration programs
Develop outreach efforts including web/Internet resources
Submit first report no later than 180 days with annual performance indicators
Submit annual reports thereafter

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Centers must begin operations no later than 45 days from signing
Directors appointed for each Center
Agency liaisons designated to White House OFBCI

Near term (90d)

Agency-wide audits to identify barriers to faith-based participation
Development of outreach programs and web resources
Proposal of pilot and demonstration programs

Long term

Annual reporting with performance indicators continues indefinitely
Ongoing regulatory and procurement reform proposals
Sustained coordination with White House OFBCI

Risks & tensions

Subject to appropriations availability (Sec. 6a) — funding constraints may limit implementation
Explicitly creates no enforceable rights (Sec. 6b) — organizations cannot legally compel agency action
Potential church-state separation concerns with expanding faith-based access to federal programs
Vague 'to the extent permitted by law' qualifier appears repeatedly, creating implementation uncertainty
No specified consequences for non-compliance with reporting requirements