[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 10 (Monday, March 13, 2006)]
[Pages 412-414]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Executive Order 13397--Responsibilities of the Department of Homeland 
Security With Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

March 7, 2006

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and 
the laws of the United States of America, and in order to help the 
Federal Government coordinate a national effort to expand opportunities 
for faith-based and other community organizations and to strengthen 
their capacity to better meet America's social and community needs, it 
is hereby ordered as follows:
    Section 1. Establishment of a Center for Faith-Based and Community 
Initiatives at the Department of Homeland Security.
    (a) The Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) shall establish 
within the Department of Homeland Security (Department) a Center for 
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (Center).
    (b) The Center shall be supervised by a Director appointed by 
Secretary. The Secretary shall consult with the Director of the White 
House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (WHOFBCI Director) 
prior to making such appointment.
    (c) The Department shall provide the Center with appropriate staff, 
administrative support, and other resources to meet its responsibilities 
under this order.
    (d) The Center shall begin operations no later than 45 days from the 
date of this order.
    Sec. 2. Purpose of Center. The purpose of the Center shall be to 
coordinate agency efforts to eliminate regulatory, contracting, and 
other programmatic obstacles to the participation of faith-based and 
other community organizations in the provision of social and community 
services.
    Sec. 3. Responsibilities of the Center for Faith-Based and Community 
Initiatives. In carrying out the purpose set forth in section 2 of this 
order, the Center shall:

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    (a) conduct, in coordination with the WHOFBCI Director, a 
department-wide audit to identify all existing barriers to the 
participation of faith-based and other community organizations in the 
delivery of social and community services by the Department, including 
but not limited to regulations, rules, orders, procurement, and other 
internal policies and practices, and outreach activities that unlawfully 
discriminate against, or otherwise discourage or disadvantage the 
participation of faith-based and other community organizations in 
Federal programs;
    (b) coordinate a comprehensive departmental effort to incorporate 
faith-based and other community organizations in Department programs and 
initiatives to the greatest extent possible;
    (c) propose initiatives to remove barriers identified pursuant to 
section 3(a) of this order, including but not limited to reform of 
regulations, procurement, and other internal policies and practices, and 
outreach activities;
    (d) propose the development of innovative pilot and demonstration 
programs to increase the participation of faith-based and other 
community organizations in Federal as well as State and local 
initiatives; and
    (e) develop and coordinate Departmental outreach efforts to 
disseminate information more effectively to faith-based and other 
community organizations with respect to programming changes, contracting 
opportunities, and other agency initiatives, including but not limited 
to Web and Internet resources.
    Sec. 4. Reporting Requirements.
    (a) Report. Not later than 180 days from the date of this order and 
annually thereafter, the Center shall prepare and submit a report to the 
WHOFBCI Director.
    (b) Contents. The report shall include a description of the 
Department's efforts in carrying out its responsibilities under this 
order, including but not limited to:
 (i)         a comprehensive analysis of the barriers to the full 
            participation of faith-based and other community 
            organizations in the delivery of social and community 
            services identified pursuant to section 3(a) of this order 
            and the proposed strategies to eliminate those barriers; and
 (ii)        a summary of the technical assistance and other information 
            that will be available to faith-based and other community 
            organizations regarding the program activities of the agency 
            and the preparation of applications or proposals for grants, 
            cooperative agreements, contracts, and procurement.
    (c) Performance Indicators. The first report shall include annual 
performance indicators and measurable objectives for Departmental 
action. Each report filed thereafter shall measure the Department's 
performance against the objectives set forth in the initial report.
    Sec. 5. Responsibilities of the Secretary. The Secretary shall:
    (a) designate an employee within the department to serve as the 
liaison and point of contact with the WHOFBCI Director; and
    (b) cooperate with the WHOFBCI Director and provide such 
information, support, and assistance to the WHOFBCI Director as 
requested to implement this order.
    Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented 
subject to the availability of appropriations and to the extent 
permitted by law.
    (b) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or 
benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by a 
party against the United States, its agencies, or entities, its 
officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

                                                George W. Bush

 The White House,
 March 7, 2006.

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:05 a.m., March 8, 
2006]

Note: This Executive order was published in the Federal Register on 
March 9.

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