Faith-Based Resources: Additional Resources

Families USA Resources

• A Discussion Guide for using "Unwilling Volunteers: Tennesseans Forced out of Health Care" in the faith community: This guide is intended for use within the faith community to facilitate discussions about the Families USA publication Unwilling Volunteers: Tennesseans Forced out of Health Care. If you would like to receive a full kit for your congregation, which includes a copy of "Unwilling Volunteers," a discussion guide, a DVD of "Collateral Damage" (a documentary showing the real-life effects of the TennCare cuts), and a video discussion guide, please click here and fill out the online order form. Free copies of the DVD are available on a limited basis. (May 2007)
• Two one-page sample bulletins can be used or adapted to distribute in the faith community. The first bulletin focuses on racial and ethnic health disparities; the second focuses on the State Children’ Health Insurance Program. (January 2007)
• Case Study: Religious Leaders Advocating for the Uninsured. This case study describes the efforts led by A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy (AMOS) in the Des Moines Metropolitan area to provide more affordable health care for the uninsured residents of Des Moines. (November 2006)
• Faith-Based Related Links lists national congregations and organizations that work on advocacy and justice issues. (November 2006)
• Developing Action Strategies For Your Community. Provides faith communities with an activity to develop strategies for addressing health policy issues on the local, state, and national level. (November 2006)
• Working with the Faith Community: Reflections from a National Faith Leader. This tool for advocates identifies several tips and practical strategies for engaging and working with the faith community around health care issues. Drawing from her work with congregations that represent communities of color, Barbara Baylor, Minister for Health and Wellness at the national office for the United Church of Christ, reflects on how to engage the faith community as an effective way to improve health care. (March 2006)
• Case Study: Joining Together to Oppose Medicaid Cuts in Tennessee. This resource outlines the role Tennessee’s faith community has played in efforts to preserve TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program. (January 2006)
• Health Action 2006, featured a plenary entitled Faith and Justice: The Religious Rationale for Health Care. This plenary discussion had Rev. Linda Walling, John Carr, Rev. Barbara Baylor, and Rabbi David Saperstein as speakers.  To view the video or read the transcript of this plenary, click here. (January 2006)

Other Resources

• Vision & Voice: Faithful Citizens and Health Care is an innovative four-session adult education series for faith communities during the 2008 elections and beyond. Participants will learn ways they can help keep health care a top priority during the upcoming election and into 2009. A DVD with faith leaders will be available soon. Go to www.visionandvoice.org for more information. (February 2008)
• A new survey of 6,000 American congregations conducted by the National Council of Churches reports that 70 percent of responding churches provide direct health services, with 65 percent offering health education programs within their community. The Congregational Health Ministry Survey Report, shows that a majority of churches are ministering to their communities by providing health care ministries. As the number of uninsured Americans reaches 47 million people, congregations are supplying health education and direct health care services. Many are advocating on behalf of public policy issues related to health care. (September 2007)