| The Charitable Choice provision of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act passed in 1996 requires states to support religious organizations applying for government funding. However, leaders of these organizations are concerned about government interference and questions regarding freedom of speech and separation of church and state. To understand this issue, a literature review was conducted on the history of social welfare, the technological changes in the welfare system, and the current status of church and state partnerships. The purpose of this research was to collect and analyze data about church leader's opinions of government funding. A second purpose was to explore circumstances that can facilitate or obstruct the obtainment of government funding for social services. This study was a quantitative pilot study; collaboration theory was used as a conceptual framework to guide this study. Data collected from 86 church leaders serving in two counties were analyzed to determine whether there were statistically significant relationships between church leaders' opinions to barriers and the degree to which they endorsed their own churches' applying for government funding. Cronbach's alpha was also utilized to confirm reliability of study measures. Results suggested that there are significant barriers for religious leaders in accepting government funding. This study could serve as an initial step in promoting discussion among professionals in the education, legal and social science fields and religious leaders who are interested in government funding. Implications for social change include providing workshop training to community organizations and faith-based groups regarding equal treatment regulations for faith-based organizations. Faith-based groups, which cooperate with non-faith based organizations, can help solve pressing social issues such as alcohol addiction, poverty, and homelessness. |
