The organized Jewish community continues to confront the introduction of "charitable choice" initiatives on the federal and state levels, which would provide public funding for social service programs operated by pervasively sectarian organizations, as well as by religiously affiliated organizations that are not required to implement appropriate safeguards to prevent First Amendment violations. The JCPA reaffirms its opposition to any legislation that omits meaningful and effective First Amendment safeguards such as those that prevent proselytization, coercion or indoctrination and that safeguard clients and service provider employees against religiously-based discrimination. The community relations field must continue its vigilance in monitoring the implementation of federal block grant programs at the state and local level to prevent First Amendment violations and to protect the religious freedom of program beneficiaries and employees of service providers.

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