WASHINGTON — Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced June 5 that $30 million will be made available to help faith-based and community organizations that provide social services. The money comes from the Compassion Capital Fund, an aspect of a White House initiative announced soon after President Bush took office and appropriated by Congress to the federal department in January.
Close to $25 million will be available for use by five to 25 “intermediary organizations” to provide technical assistance to help faith-based and community groups gain funding, manage and expand their programs, and train their staffs. The assistance will be provided free to the faith-based and community groups.
Intermediary groups getting funding will be able to distribute money to faith-based and other community groups for startup costs, operations or expansion of programs addressing hunger, homelessness, at-risk children, rehabilitation and transition from welfare to work. According to HHS, the disbursed money cannot support religious practices such as worship, prayer or religious instruction.
An additional $5 million in the Compassion Capital Fund will create a National Resource Center, which will offer information on training and technical assistance and provide research on model programs.
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