Establishing a Community Solutions Council

Overview

Creation of the Community Solutions Council: Executive Order 13748, issued by President Barack Obama on November 16, 2016, seeks to institutionalize a collaborative approach to community development by establishing a Community Solutions Council. The order acknowledges the pivotal role that geographical location plays in determining an individual's quality of life, educational opportunities, and economic prospects. By leveraging a coordinated effort across federal agencies, the EO aims to maximize the impact of federal investments in addressing local challenges such as unemployment, access to education, healthcare, housing, and infrastructural deficits.

Principles and Goals: Central to the EO is the emphasis on creating community-driven, locally led visions and long-term plans. The order mandates coordination across different levels of government and cross-sector partners to streamline the support process and ensure equitable distribution of resources. The intention is to harness modern technology, data-driven methodologies, and effective collaboration strategies to enhance community engagement and promote the sharing of successful local solutions.

Organizational Structure: The EO delineates the organizational structure of the newly established Council, with co-chairs drawn from the highest levels of government. A diverse membership comprising cabinet secretaries, agency heads, and other key federal officials is tasked with fostering inter-agency collaboration. The Council aims to drive policy recommendations that prioritize local input, evidence-based practices, and sustainable community development strategies.

Revocation and Supersession: To streamline federal efforts and focus on the newly established Council, this EO supersedes two earlier orders: EO 13560, which founded the White House Council for Community Solutions, and EO 13602, which established the White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities. Thus, EO 13748 seeks to consolidate previous efforts under a singular, cohesive framework aimed at building resilient communities.

Interagency and Community Coordination: The order reinforces the notion that concerted efforts across federal agencies can yield more meaningful and impactful community engagement. By fostering partnerships with local governments and incorporating insights from various stakeholders, the EO endeavors to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing community-specific needs and challenges.

Legal and Policy Implications

Constitutional and Statutory Foundations: Executive Order 13748 builds on the President's inherent constitutional authority to manage the executive branch and its resources. By establishing the Community Solutions Council, the order defines a policy framework that directs federal agencies to work collaboratively, balancing federalism by respecting the local autonomy of communities while providing necessary support and coordination.

Shift in Government Dynamics: By revoking earlier executive orders, this EO represents a strategic realignment of federal initiatives targeting community development. It mandates a more integrated approach to policy implementation and resource allocation, suggesting a decisive pivot towards data-driven, evidence-based decision-making processes aimed at enhancing the quality of life in disadvantaged regions.

Regulatory Consistency and Integration: EO 13748 fosters regulatory consistency across federal agencies by establishing common goals for community engagement and development. The order stipulates adherence to existing legal frameworks, ensuring that new initiatives are in tandem with statutory requirements while promoting innovative solutions tailored to specific local contexts.

Long-term Commitment to Community Engagement: The EO underscores the federal government's commitment to sustained community engagement and development, reflecting an understanding that complex socioeconomic challenges require multifaceted, long-term solutions. This commitment is further solidified by the inclusion of high-ranking officials within the Council, tasked with steering federal resources in alignment with local priorities.

Redefinition of Federal-Local Partnerships: By framing community development within the paradigm of partnerships, the order redefines the roles of federal, state, and local government entities. The shift towards greater collaboration and coordination heralds a potentially transformative approach to addressing the needs of communities that have long been marginalized or underserved.

Who Benefits

Marginalized and Underserved Communities: The primary beneficiaries of EO 13748 are communities facing persistent poverty and limited access to resources. By targeting federal assistance towards these areas, the order seeks to level the playing field and enhance opportunities for economic mobility, education, and health.

Local Governments and Organizations: Municipal governments, tribal authorities, and community-based organizations stand to benefit from the streamlined and coordinated federal approach. Access to a centralized support system equipped with data-driven tools and resources can empower local actors to execute their development agendas more effectively.

Civil Society and Nonprofit Sector: Nonprofits and civil society groups involved in community development are likely to see increased collaboration opportunities with federal agencies. By engaging with various stakeholders, these organizations can contribute to shaping policies that align with local objectives while gaining access to federal funding and support.

Educational and Health Institutions: Schools, hospitals, and health care providers in targeted communities may find support for initiatives designed to improve education and health outcomes. The federal emphasis on evidence-based practices could result in better resource allocation and access to innovative solutions.

Technological Innovators: Companies and individuals working in technology and data analytics will likely find new opportunities to collaborate with communities via federal initiatives. The order emphasizes harnessing technology for effective community engagement, potentially fostering public-private partnerships and innovation.

Who Suffers

Potentially Disadvantaged Communities: While the order aims to facilitate equitable distribution of resources, there is a risk that some communities could be overlooked if local governments lack the capacity or expertise to engage effectively with federal initiatives. This could inadvertently widen the gap between well-prepared and less-prepared communities.

Bureaucratic Challenges: Federal agencies may face additional burdens due to the increased emphasis on inter-agency collaboration and the need for consistent data sharing and coordination. This could strain existing resources and create inefficiencies if not managed effectively.

Short-term Focused Programs: Initiatives that prioritize immediate outcomes over long-term sustainability might suffer as the EO shifts focus towards comprehensive, long-term community-driven approaches. This could potentially disadvantage short-term projects dependent on rapid federal funding.

Traditional Models of Government Assistance: By redefining how federal assistance is coordinated and delivered, the order potentially disrupts traditional models of federal aid that may not align with the new framework, leading to operational challenges for agencies rooted in conventional structures.

Larger Urban Areas: Larger cities might experience reduced focus as the EO seeks to address specific challenges of smaller or more rural communities often in persistent poverty. Without targeted measures to ensure balanced resource distribution, there is a possibility of neglecting urban areas with high needs.

Historical Context

Obama Administration's Focus on Collaboration: EO 13748 reflects a broader trend in the Obama administration's policy focus on fostering collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and cross-government coordination. This aligns with previously established priorities aimed at breaking down silos within the federal government to deliver equitable outcomes.

Addressing Systemic Inequality: The establishment of the Community Solutions Council is part of the Obama administration's long-term effort to address systemic inequality through targeted interventions. By prioritizing marginalized communities, the administration seeks to fulfill a key aspect of its social policy agenda focused on opportunity and inclusion.

Evolution of Federal-Local Engagement: The EO builds on previous efforts by restructuring federal-local engagement models, reflecting lessons learned from earlier initiatives like the Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiative. Historical insights into what works and what doesn’t have informed these structural changes.

Commitment to Sustainable Development: The administration's emphasis on sustainable development and resilience is evident in the order's focus on climate change, infrastructure investment, and demographic shifts. These themes reflect continuity in policy priorities addressing long-term challenges.

Post-Recession Economic Policies: As the EO emerged in the aftermath of sustained job growth following the 2008 financial crisis, it underscores the administration's strategy to solidify economic gains by extending prosperity to persistently impoverished areas through coordinated community solutions.

Potential Controversies or Challenges

Implementation Hurdles: One of the primary challenges posed by EO 13748 is the implementation of a highly coordinated strategy across multiple federal agencies. Historically, inter-agency collaboration has been hampered by bureaucratic inertia, and overcoming this would require significant political will and operational agility.

Legislative and Fiscal Constraints: The order's success is contingent upon congressional support, particularly in terms of appropriations. Given the diverse stakeholders involved, political consensus on budget allocations may prove difficult, potentially stalling ambitious objectives outlined in the EO.

Accountability and Monitoring: Ensuring transparency and accountability in the implementation of the order is critical. Establishing robust mechanisms for oversight could be contentious, as agencies balance the need for accountability with the flexibility to execute localized solutions effectively.

Resistance to Change: Changes in administrative priorities or the political landscape, especially with transitions between presidential administrations, can pose challenges to the continuity of the order's objectives. The policy's broad scope may face resistance from entities invested in traditional models of federal governance.

Legal Challenges and Interpretation: While not likely to invite high-profile legal challenges due to its inherently collaborative and advisory nature, nuances around policy implementation, inter-agency authority, and stakeholder engagement could give rise to interpretive challenges and require clarification.