ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13397Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13397

Responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security With Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

This executive order establishes a Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives within the Department of Homeland Security to identify and remove barriers preventing faith-based and community organizations from participating in federal social service programs. The Center must begin operations within 45 days and submit its first report within 180 days, with annual reports thereafter.

Federal Register Open PDF 71 FR 12275

Impact dates

  1. Annual reports thereafter

  2. First report due to WHOFBCI Director with performance indicators

  3. Center begins operations

Key directives

  • Establish Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at DHS
  • Appoint Director consulting with WHOFBCI Director
  • Provide staff and resources to Center
  • Begin Center operations no later than 45 days from March 7, 2006
  • Conduct department-wide audit of barriers to faith-based organization participation
  • Coordinate comprehensive effort to incorporate faith-based organizations into DHS programs
  • Propose initiatives to remove identified barriers
  • Propose innovative pilot and demonstration programs
  • Develop outreach efforts including web resources
  • Designate liaison to WHOFBCI
  • Submit first report no later than 180 days from March 7, 2006
  • Include annual performance indicators in first report

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Establishment of Center mandated
  • Director appointment process begins with WHOFBCI consultation

Near term (90d)

  • Center must begin operations by April 21, 2006 (45 days)
  • Department-wide audit of barriers to faith-based participation to be conducted
  • Liaison designation to WHOFBCI required

Long term

  • First report due September 3, 2006 (180 days)
  • Annual reporting cycle established
  • Ongoing barrier removal and program integration
  • Performance measurement against established indicators

Risks & tensions

  • Subject to appropriations availability (Sec. 6a) — funding uncertainty
  • Potential church-state separation concerns implicit in faith-based program expansion
  • No enforcement mechanism for organizations — Sec. 6b explicitly denies private right of action
  • Vague scope of 'greatest extent possible' (Sec. 3b) leaves implementation discretion to DHS
  • Annual performance indicators required but no specified consequences for non-performance
Executive Order 13397: Responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security With Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives · Executive Orders