Implementing the President’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative
at the Corporation for National and Community Service

TOOLKIT STEPS
Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7
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Once a clear baseline of the current level of resources being allocated to community organizations (secular and faith-based) and the environmental scan have been completed, it is time to determine the appropriate role of the State Commission in promoting the Faith-Based and Community Initiative. The State Commission should establish its own goals for enhancing access for community organizations (secular and faith-based). For this, it is recommended that they review and possibly revise the Unified State Plan to enhance the level of collaboration among the State Office, SEA, other CNCS grantees, and with the efforts of non-CNCS entities in the state. In addition, the Commissions should actively seek to include representatives from community organizations (secular and faith-based) to their membership. Commissions should also be working with local officials to accomplish their objectives.

Challenges

• How to integrate the Faith-Based and Community Initiative into existing Commission goals and strategic direction with no additional resources.

• How to determine what the role of the Commission is in the state and with the State Office, SEA, and other CNCS grantees: as a convener, partner, support system for capacity building, etc.

Benefits

• Provides clear next steps as a Commission for the implementation of the Faith-Based and Community Initiative.
• Establishes to what the Commission will hold itself accountable.
• Allows the Commission to determine the amount of energy and focus on this initiative based on guidance from CNCS, the Commission's capacity, local FBO/CBO needs, and in support of its own mission and strategic plan.

Strategies

1. Review the collected baseline data and determine what areas are most appropriate for additional effort by the State Commission.
2. Determine the strategic approach your Commission will take to increase access for community organizations (secular and faith-based). See Toolkit: Maryland Interagency Faith-Based Effort Appendix L.
3. Review the environmental scan and identify what potential partners and intermediaries or coalitions would be the most appropriate to develop working relationships with. Be sure to include your local agencies and local officials. See Mississippi Statewide Coalition Model Appendix M. Also, see excerpts from Stephen Goldsmith’s book following the toolbox in the Conduct an Environmental Scan section.)
4. Identify related goals that could be linked, such as homeland security, or increase the diversity/geographical distribution of grantees, or look into programs related to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. See Arkansas TANF Model Appendix N.
5. Determine intended outcomes; incorporate specific goals into State Commission goals and objectives, particularly the Unified State Plan.
6. Develop ways in which to integrate AmeriCorps*VISTA, Learn and Serve America, and Senior Corps into strategies to build the capacity of these organizations through preliminary involvement with CNCS programs that prepare them for the more challenging prospect of an AmeriCorps*State application.

Outputs

1. Clear role for the State Commission defined in implementing the initiative.
2. Specific goals incorporated into Unified States Plan.

Title: Maryland Interagency Faith-Based Effort
Tool Type: Example
Purpose: This is an example of effective collaboration plan among state-level agencies. This is useful if other states are considering leveraging efforts across agencies.
Location: Appendix L

Title: Mississippi Statewide Coalition Model
Tool Type: Example
Purpose: This is an example of the role each of the state-level CNCS entities play in supporting a statewide faith-based initiative.
Location: Appendix M

Title: Arkansas TANF Model
Tool Type: Example
Purpose: This is an example of the strategic deployment of AmeriCorps members in support of a specific initiative, in this case Welfare Reform, as a way to mobilize FBOs as effective partners.
Location: Appendix N

TOOLKIT STEPS
Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7
FACES Home