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Government institutions and congregations have been collaborating to provide social services since at least the early 1900s.  And yet recent public policy initiatives and civic debate have shed new light on these partnerships and suggested an increased role for faith-based organizations in serving the public good.  This segment will explore the long history of these collaborations, highlight what makes current practices and proposals different from those of the past, and suggest some important questions for any institution considering a faith-based partnership.  Both religious and civic organizations considering a faith-based partnership will benefit from this exploration of one another’s mission, identity, capacities and vulnerabilities.