What is Charitable Choice?Charitable Choice is a legislative provision designed to remove unnecessary barriers to the receipt of certain federal funds by faith-based organizations. The provision prohibits states from discriminating against religious organizations when choosing providers under certain federal grant programs. While Charitable Choice is designed to improve access to federal funding for faith-based organizations, it does not establish a new funding stream dedicated to these groups. Currently, Charitable Choice applies only to three block grant programs at HHS. The first provision was included in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and applied to HHS funding under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. A Charitable Choice provision was also added to the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program when it was reauthorized in 1998. Both programs are administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) with the funding provided to the states through block grants. In these programs, HHS provides the funds to the states, which in turn award funds to other local or community providers, including faith-based organizations. In 2000, a Charitable Choice provision was added to the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant and discretionary grants as well as the PATH program (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Charitable Choice rests on four principles:
HHS Proposes New Regulations For Fair Treatment Of Religious Grantee Organizations And Their Clients HHS Final Charitable Choice Regulations Last revised: July 26, 2004 |