Fletcher made the surprise announcement during a visit to the Family Place in Louisville on thursday. The Office of Faith-Based Initiatives was the brainchild of the state legislature. They passed HB 383 in the 2005 session. Fletcher said he didn't set up the office or name an executive director until two weeks ago because he "wasn't ready" and hadn't found the right person for the job. Fletcher says the office will try and draw more church-related organizations into providing social service programs. He says it could broaden the state's capability to provide services. When asked if faith-based programs will get preference in obtaining state grants, Fletcher claimed the new initiative would only "level the playing field". When I asked if this was a political move to counter the inroads former congresswoman Anne Northup had made in the church community by securing federal grants for programs run by african-american churches, Fletcher said that wasn't the goal. But he praised Northup's efforts and says he hopes the state program can replicate the successes Northup had in Louisville.