Journal of health and human services administration
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J Health Hum Serv Adm · Jan 2006
Comparative StudyFaith-based versus secular providers of social services--differences in what, how, and where.
Recent public policies have promoted an increased role for faith-based organizations in the delivery of publicly supported services. Yet, there is little information on how service delivery by faith-based and secular providers might differ. This study seeks a better understanding of role differences by analyzing the broad context of social service delivery patterns in Los Angeles County. ⋯ However, they play an important role through their emphasis on transitional assistance, their multi-service orientation, and their reliance on interventions that utilize their unique strengths. Secular nonprofit and public providers, in contrast, offer a much more comprehensive set of services. The results suggest that faith-based organizations have a modest and focused role in social service delivery, but one that is complementary to the efforts of secular providers.