Conference to examine faith-based initiatives

The Bush administration has taken several steps to make it easier for religious groups to receive federal funding for a variety of social welfare programs. A conference at IU this weekend will examine how well providers of social services are evaluated and what may account for any differences in the outcomes they achieve.\nMaureen Pirog, a professor in IU's School of Public and Environmental Affairs and co-director of the Institute for Family and Social Responsibility; and George von Furstenberg, James H. Rudy Professor of Economics, are hosting the conference, "Evaluation Methods and Practices Appropriate for Faith-Based and Other Providers of Social Service."\nConference sessions will be 2 to 3:30 and 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday and 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday. All sessions will take place in Wylie Hall.\nThe last of the four sessions will feature a discussion chaired by John Stanfield, professor of African American and African Diaspora studies. Other speakers include Pirog, James M. Walker, professor of economics, and Moya Andrews, dean of the faculties.\nFor more information, e-mail vonfurst@indiana.edu.