Governor Granholm Signs Executive Order Creating Office of Community and Faith-Based Initiatives

March 14, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed an executive order creating the Governor’s Office of Community and Faith-Based Initiatives.  The new office will focus on supporting the critical community support services that faith-based organizations provide. Granholm’s office has been engaged in community and faith-based outreach since 2003.  Creation of this new office formalizes the efforts. 

“This administration is working every day to protect our state’s children and strengthen our families,” said Granholm.  “This new office will help Michigan partner with community and faith-based organizations on that critical work.  There are rich opportunities for partnership in mentoring children, in helping citizens train for new work, in helping senior citizens, and in so much more.  I look forward to working with our partners to help make Michigan’s families stronger, so our state can be stronger.”

The Governor’s Office for Community and Faith-Based Initiatives will offer a single point of contact for community and faith-based organizations hoping to assist the State in providing critical social services in local communities. 

The office, which will be located within the Department of Human Services, will perform the following functions:

• advise the Governor on policies, priorities, and objectives for state government activities to enlist, equip, enable, empower, and expand the work of community and faith-based organizations to address social needs in Michigan, to enhance partnerships with governmental entities, and to replicate successful community and faith-based programs;
• work closely with community and faith-based organizations to promote service activities and assist the organizations in identifying and applying for federal grants;
• identify, promote, and share innovative and model community and faith-based programs, initiatives, and best practices.

The Governor has named Greg Roberts to serve as director of the new office.  Roberts currently coordinates community and faith-based outreach for the Governor’s Office.

“This new office is the direct result of the administration’s efforts to build a stronger link between faith leaders and state government over the past two years,” said Roberts.  “Both government and faith-based organizations have a critical role to play in protecting the most vulnerable in our society.  This new office will provide a direct resource to our state’s front line of providers.”

Executive Order 2005-6 will take effect March 15, 2005. 

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