The GAO has released a report on implementation of "charitable choice" legislation that allows the federal funding of faith-based social service programs. Several programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Community Services Block Grant and substance abuse programs currently have charitable choice provisions in them. While charitable choice was designed to increase grant opportunities for these organizations, the GAO found that only 8% of the $1 billion in TANF funds granted to non-governmental organizations went to faith-based organizations. The GAO report cites "lack of awareness of funding opportunities, limited administrative and financial capacity, inexperience with government contracting, and beliefs about the separation of church and state" keep more faith-based organizations from taking advantage of charitable choice programs. The report also points out differences in interpretation of safeguards built into charitable choice, such as what constitutes prohibited religious activities. The report recommends that the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees several charitable choice programs, should issue guidance to state and local intermediary grantees on charitable choice safeguards that have been found to be "unclear or confusing." The report's abstract is available online, and the complete report can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format here.