President Trump Signed the Executive Order on Safe Policing for Safe Communities
On Tuesday, President Trump issued a new Executive Order that will encourage law enforcement agencies to implement best practices and protect the communities they serve.
· Under the Order, the Attorney General will allocate certain grant funding to only those law enforcement agencies that meet high standards, including around use-of-force and de-escalation, as credentialed by reputable independent bodies.
· The Order provides incentives for law enforcement agencies to use a nationwide database to track terminations, criminal convictions, and civil judgments against law enforcement officers for excessive use-of-force, which will create accountability between agencies.
· The Administration will prioritize training and other programs for police and social workers responding to incidents involving the mentally ill, addicted, and homeless.
· Read the Executive Order HERE. Watch the President’s remarks HERE.
President Trump Hosted Roundtable on Transition to Greatness: Restoring, Rebuilding, and Renewing
On June 11, President Trump hosted a roundtable with faith and community leaders at Gateway Church in Dallas. Watch the President’s remarks HERE.
HHS Guide on Mental Health, Requesting Face Masks and Webinar
· Mental Health Guide: The Department of Health and Human Services launched this new resource guide, Compassion in Action: A Guide for Faith Communities Serving People Experiencing Mental Illness and their Caregivers which provides a starting point for faith leaders to address mental illness for those in their congregation and community.
· Face Masks: The Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives at HHS is offering face coverings widely that are available to faith and community partners in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. The face coverings, produced and delivered in partnership with USPS and the National Council of Textile Organizations, are being made available to community-based organizations at no cost (and while supplies last). Please click here for information on the face coverings and how to order.
· Webinar: The Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives will host a Compassion in Action Webinar Series: The Seven Principles for Faith Communities Addressing Mental Illness and Caregivers on June 23 at 12:00 PM EDT. To register, click here
The President's Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS)
On Wednesday, The President delivered remarks on The President's Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS), which seeks to change the culture surrounding mental health and suicide prevention through enhanced community integration, prioritized research activities, and implementation strategies that emphasize improved overall health and well-being. Read the National Plan HERE and for more information and to get in touch with the Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives at the Department of Veterans Affairs contact Sandra “Liz” Barnes at Sandra.Barnes@va.gov
USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program
USDA’s Farmers to Families distributors have delivered over 17 million food boxes to approximately 3,200 non-profit organizations across the United States including Guam and Puerto Rico. USDA will continue this effort with current organizations and begin new contracts with an increased focus on Opportunity Zones in order to direct food to reach underserved areas, places where either no boxes have yet been delivered, or where boxes are being delivered but where there is additional need.
For more information about Farmers to Families Food Box Program go HERE or you can e-mail USDAFoodBoxDistributionProgram@usda.gov
Small Business Administration Funding Opportunities for Faith-Based Organizations and Houses of Worship
· Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
4.5 million loans have been processed, with over $512 billion distributed to businesses and non-profits with 45% of PPP loans having gone to low-income counties
There is still $130 billion remaining in PPP
The PPP application deadline is June 30th
PPP Leader search website: https:\www.sba.gov\paycheckprotection\find
· Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
On June 15th, the EIDL application reopened for all businesses and non-profits to apply (including faith-based organizations)
EIDL provides an initial $10,000 advance that does not have to be repaid; additional funds that an organization is approved for would be considered a loan
Borrowers do not have to be approved for a loan to receive the $10K advance
Currently, there is no deadline to apply for EIDL
o EIDL: EIDL Loan Application
· Faith Leaders Webinar: The U.S. Small Business Administration will be hosting a national call with faith leaders on Monday, June 22nd at 5 pm EDT to discuss how the faith community can recover from the financial impact of COVID-19. Specific emphasis will be placed on the remaining funding available to faith-based organizations through the Payment Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan. You can participate by listening to the livestream at www.access.live/SBA or call at 833-380-0652.
· If you have any questions on PPP or EIDL, feel free to reach out to Marcus Harris, Director of the Faith Based and Community Initiatives at the Small Business Administration Marcus.Harris@sba.gov
Executive Order on Advancing International Religious Freedom
On June 2, President Trump signed a new Executive Order titled, Advancing International Religious Freedom which ensures American foreign policy prioritizes religious freedom are a core tenet of American diplomacy by directing U.S. Ambassadors and Foreign Service Officers to promote, defend, and support religious freedom and prioritizing religious freedom in our foreign aid programs and use other economic tools to help advance these goals. Read the Executive Order HERE.
President Trump Signed Into Law the Uighur Human Rights Act of 2020
On June 17, President Trump signed into law, The Uighur Human Rights Act of 2020, which holds accountable perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses such as the systematic use of indoctrination camps, forced labor and intrusive surveillance to eradicate the ethnic identity and religious beliefs of Uyghurs and other minorities in China. Read the Act HERE.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Sincerely,bins
Associate Director
White House Office of Public Liaison