This provision requires government agencies that accept funds from certain federal funding streams to contract with faith-based organizations on the same basis as other non-profit service providers without discriminating based on the religious character of the organization.

Charitable Choice is meant to protect faith-based service providers from unfair discrimination while allowing them to maintain their religious character, personnel and environment. It is also designed to protect recipients of services by prohibiting the use of government funds for religious purposes and by requiring that secular alternatives be available to those who do not want services from a faith-based provider.

There is not a separate pool of money reserved for faith-based service providers.

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