program for
Religion & Social Policy Research
The Program for Religion and Social Policy Research (PRSPR) is a research, education, and policy program dedicated to understanding the nexus between organized religion and the provision of social services. Acknowledging the vast literature on the failing of organized religion to support many marginalized groups and its role in local and international conflicts, PRSPR focuses on the positive side of organized religion. We are a group of scholars interested in the ways organized religion supports quality of life, assist people in need, assist in times of crisis, and promotes the well-being of minorities.
PRSPR aims to:
- Contribute to new knowledge on the scope, nature, and practice methods of religious-based social services;
- Develop methods for studying congregations and religious-based organizations;
- Equip future social service practitioners and researchers in the integration of social work and religion;
- Enhance and support the education of students interested in religion and well-being; and
- Research and produce cutting-edge knowledge regarding the role of religion in modern-day society.
History
1995
Dr. Ram A. Cnaan secures funding to take the first-ever census of religious congregations in Philadelphia. The census is the most comprehensive study ever to take inventory of social service programs available through local congregations.
1997
The Program for the study of Organized Religion and Social Work was developed by Dr. Cnaan at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Work (now SP2; School of Social Policy & Practice). Research on the topic of religion and social work was scarce and Dr. Cnaan recognized a great need for quality research, especially in light of the social and political climate.ext here
1999
The book, “The Newer Deal” written by Dr. Ram Cnaan, with Dr. Robert Wineburg, and Stephanie Boddie is published by Columbia University Press on the topic of the partnership of social work and religion.
A new class on religion and social work is developed and taught at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Work. “Practicing and Managing Social Work in Religious Contexts” brings to light the neglected, yet important issue of the role of religion in social work practice, and helps bridge the gap.
2000
The program hosts a conference for congregational leaders in Philadelphia. “Empowering to Build Healthy Congregations- Growth and Vision Conference” helped equip congregations to secure funding so they could continue doing what they are good at- meeting the needs of the community.
2002
The book, “The Invisible Caring Hand,” written by Dr. Ram Cnaan, with Stephanie Boddie, Femida Handy, Robert Schneider, and Gaynor Yancey is published by New York University Press. This book sheds light on the welfare role congregations provide in six large cities and one small town.
The Program wins a grant from the Compassion Capital Fund to evaluate the impact of a faith-based program for at-risk youth. This faith and community based demonstration project will be carried out by the North Philadelphia Cluster of United Methodist Churches, which consists of eight churches.
2004
Program for the Study of Organized Religion and Social Work changes its name to Program for Religion and Social Policy Research (PRSPR)
2006
The book “The other Philadelphia story: How local congregations support quality of life in urban America was published by University of Pennsylvania Press.
2008-2009
Dr. Ram Cnaan in collaboration with Dr. Robert J. Wineburg of University of North Carolina (Greensboro) conducted a census of Wilmington, DE congregations and nonprofit organizations. The study aimed to replicate the Philadelphia study and assess the interaction of congregations and other local NPOs. Charlene McGrew wrote her dissertation based on this study.
2009-2017
Dr. Ram Cnaan along with Drs. Van Evans and Daniel Curtis conducted the largest and first study of giving and volunteering among Latter Day Saints (LDS) members. These ambitious studies confirmed the extra-ordinary commitment of LDS members both in terms of giving to their own Church and to society at large. Currently the study is extended to include three South American countries (data collection in Colombia is completed). In addition, we were granted permission to study the unique phenomenon of Senior missionaries. Data were collected and one paper is currently under review. At the same period, PRSPR started a series of studies aiming to assess the valuation (fiscal estimates) of local religious congregations to their regional economies. The valuation studies originated with conceptual papers and culminated with two empirical studies taken together with Partners for Sacred Places. The first study was a preliminary one of 11 Philadelphia congregations and the latter one a three-city study of 90 congregations in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Fort Worth.
People
Director
Current Fellows
Past Fellows
Stephanie C. Boddie, MSW, PhD
Beverly Frazier, MBA, MDiv, PhD
Nicole Ives, MSW, PhD
Jennifer Kang, MPP
Charlene Chen McGrew, MSW, ThM, PhD
Faye Patterson, BA
Jill Witmer Sinha, MDiv, PhD
Vaughn Taylor, MS
Publications
Books
Boddie, S. C., & Cnaan, R. A. (2007). Faith-based social services: Measures, assessments, and effectiveness. Bloomington, NY: Haworth Press.
Cnaan, R. A., with Boddie, S. C., McGrew, C. C., & Kang, J. (2006). The other Philadelphia story: How local congregations support quality of life in urban America. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
Cnaan, R. A., Boddie, S. C., Handy, F., Yancey, G., & Schneider, R. (2002). The invisible caring hand: American congregations and the provision of welfare. New York: New York University Press.
Cnaan, R. A., Wineburg, R. J., & Boddie, S. C. (1999). The newer deal: Social work and religion in partnership. New York: Columbia University Press.
News
Faculty & Research
12/17
Paper on philanthropic strategies wins editors’ prize for three SP2-affiliated authors
The first author of the paper is Dr. H. Daniel Heist, a graduate of SP2’s PhD in Social Welfare Program. He is joined by SP2 Professor Ram Cnaan and fellow SP2 PhD graduate Dr. Megan M. Farwell.
News
Gifts & Giving
12/03
Penn Receives $5 Million to Create the First-of-its-Kind Professorship in Philanthropy
The Wieler Family Professorship in the field of philanthropy will hold a primary appointment in Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice and a secondary appointment in the Wharton School.
News
Faculty & Research
11/21
Dean Bachman delivers keynote at Penn Center for AIDS Research symposium
With the goal of optimizing implementation and improving outcomes for people with HIV, a team led by SP2’s Dean Sara S. Bachman is evaluating a novel approach to HIV medical case management being implemented by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.