The Evolution of Social The Evolution of Social Welfare and Social Work Welfare and Social Work

in the United Statesin the United States

Chapter 2Chapter 2

Maintaining Government Maintaining Government ResponsibilityResponsibility

NASW reaffirms the essential role of NASW reaffirms the essential role of government in developing policies and government in developing policies and programs that expand opportunities, programs that expand opportunities, address social and economic injustice and address social and economic injustice and enhance social conditions of the nation’s enhance social conditions of the nation’s communities.communities.

Inhabitants of the United States live in a Inhabitants of the United States live in a land of freedom wherein democracy and land of freedom wherein democracy and democratic processes are prevalent. democratic processes are prevalent. Stress is on the interdependence of people Stress is on the interdependence of people in society, and it is generally recognized in society, and it is generally recognized that the well-being of one person affects that the well-being of one person affects the well-being of neighbors and others.the well-being of neighbors and others.

The preamble of out Constitution, The preamble of out Constitution, spelled out by the Founding Fathers, spelled out by the Founding Fathers, contains the immortal words, “to contains the immortal words, “to promote the general welfare.”promote the general welfare.”

The worth of the human personality The worth of the human personality and the importance of individual and the importance of individual adjustment and the well-being are adjustment and the well-being are significant aspects of the American significant aspects of the American way of life.way of life.

Social WelfareSocial Welfare

Social welfare, according to Social welfare, according to The The Social Work Dictionary, Social Work Dictionary, is “a nation’s is “a nation’s system of programs, benefits, and system of programs, benefits, and services that help people meet those services that help people meet those social, economic, educational, and social, economic, educational, and health needs that are fundamental to health needs that are fundamental to the maintenance of society.”the maintenance of society.”

President Kennedy, in his statement to President Kennedy, in his statement to Congress, stressed the importance of the Congress, stressed the importance of the family unit and its preservation.family unit and its preservation.

He indicated that a united attack needed to He indicated that a united attack needed to be made on the problem of family be made on the problem of family breakdown, and then continued, “unless breakdown, and then continued, “unless such problems are dealt with effectively, such problems are dealt with effectively, they fester and grow, sapping the strength they fester and grow, sapping the strength of society as a whole and extending their of society as a whole and extending their consequences in troubled families from one consequences in troubled families from one generation to the next.generation to the next.

European RootsEuropean Roots

In 1536 a law was passed in England stating In 1536 a law was passed in England stating that alms collected by local authorities and that alms collected by local authorities and by churches on Sundays were to help to by churches on Sundays were to help to relieve the sick and poor.relieve the sick and poor.

To deter people from openly begging, the To deter people from openly begging, the law stipulated that “the mayor of every town law stipulated that “the mayor of every town and the Church wardens of every parish and the Church wardens of every parish were to collect alms every Sunday, holiday were to collect alms every Sunday, holiday or festival in common boxes,” which were or festival in common boxes,” which were then to be utilized by those in need.then to be utilized by those in need.

This law marked the shift in poor relief from This law marked the shift in poor relief from an ecclesiastical to a secular system.an ecclesiastical to a secular system.

The act had several significant provisions, The act had several significant provisions, including the illegality of begging, including the illegality of begging, responsibility of society to help, assistance responsibility of society to help, assistance by and through the local community, and by and through the local community, and voluntary alms, with clerical assistance, but voluntary alms, with clerical assistance, but under the direction of the state.under the direction of the state.

In 1572 overseers of the poor were In 1572 overseers of the poor were appointed as civil officers. The appointed as civil officers. The Parliamentary enactment at this time Parliamentary enactment at this time provided for a direct public tax for the provided for a direct public tax for the purpose of assisting the poor and destitute.purpose of assisting the poor and destitute.

The London Charity Organization Society The London Charity Organization Society was established in 1869.was established in 1869.

It proposed:It proposed:– The coordination of the work of the various The coordination of the work of the various

charitable societies in London so as to prevent charitable societies in London so as to prevent duplication.duplication.

– An acquaintance by each of the work of other An acquaintance by each of the work of other agenciesagencies

– A bureau of registry for all casesA bureau of registry for all cases– Personal service to promote independence of Personal service to promote independence of

spirit rather than the giving a material aidspirit rather than the giving a material aid– A devotion to measures for the prevention of A devotion to measures for the prevention of

pauperism.pauperism.

Elizabethan Poor LawsElizabethan Poor Laws An act was passed in 1598 and revised in An act was passed in 1598 and revised in

1601 that provided a systematic plan for 1601 that provided a systematic plan for helping the poor and established a system of helping the poor and established a system of public responsibility implemented through public responsibility implemented through local care.local care.

The act of 1601 established legislation that The act of 1601 established legislation that differentiated three classes of the poor: the differentiated three classes of the poor: the able-bodied poor, who were to be provided able-bodied poor, who were to be provided with work, or with punishment is prison or the with work, or with punishment is prison or the stocks if they refused to work; the impotent stocks if they refused to work; the impotent poor, who were to be kept in almshouses; and poor, who were to be kept in almshouses; and dependent children who were to be dependent children who were to be apprenticed unless parents or grandparents apprenticed unless parents or grandparents could support them.could support them.

For the dependent children group, the For the dependent children group, the boys were to be apprenticed until they boys were to be apprenticed until they were twenty-four years old and the girls were twenty-four years old and the girls until they either twenty-one or married.until they either twenty-one or married.

Monies to finance these laws were Monies to finance these laws were provided by taxes levied on lands, provided by taxes levied on lands, houses, and tithes, from money left for houses, and tithes, from money left for charitable purposes, and from fines charitable purposes, and from fines levied for the breaking of certain laws.levied for the breaking of certain laws.

The Elizabethan Poor Laws provided The Elizabethan Poor Laws provided the basis for public social welfare in the basis for public social welfare in England with only minor changes England with only minor changes until the Poor Law of 1834 was until the Poor Law of 1834 was passed.passed.

This act provided for centralized This act provided for centralized administration with a pattern of administration with a pattern of uniformity throughout the country.uniformity throughout the country.

Beginnings In the United StatesBeginnings In the United States

In colonial days in America the basic In colonial days in America the basic pattern for assisting the poor and pattern for assisting the poor and unfortunate followed the poor laws unfortunate followed the poor laws and activities of the mother country.and activities of the mother country.

The first almshouses for the care of The first almshouses for the care of the poor and indigent was established the poor and indigent was established in Massachusetts in 1662.in Massachusetts in 1662.

New York City had a city physician for New York City had a city physician for the poor as early as 1687.the poor as early as 1687.

In 1644, the Boston Latin School was In 1644, the Boston Latin School was established and was the foundation established and was the foundation underpinning free public education in underpinning free public education in this country.this country.

Beginnings in the child welfare Beginnings in the child welfare movement go back to 1729 in New movement go back to 1729 in New Orleans when Ursuline Sisters Orleans when Ursuline Sisters established an institution for children established an institution for children of parents massacred by Indians.of parents massacred by Indians.

In March 1841, the famous Dorothea Dix by In March 1841, the famous Dorothea Dix by chance visited the East Cambridge, chance visited the East Cambridge, Massachusetts, jail and was shocked at the Massachusetts, jail and was shocked at the deplorable treatment of the insane inmates.deplorable treatment of the insane inmates.

She devoted the rest of her life to improving She devoted the rest of her life to improving services for those who were mentally ill.services for those who were mentally ill.

As the result of her campaign many state As the result of her campaign many state hospitals for the insane were established or hospitals for the insane were established or enlarged and great improvements in enlarged and great improvements in treatment in poorhouses and jails took place. treatment in poorhouses and jails took place.

In the latter part of the 18In the latter part of the 18thth century, a century, a new system of prison discipline called the new system of prison discipline called the Pennsylvania System, was established.Pennsylvania System, was established.

This innovation provided for individualized This innovation provided for individualized attention and treatment of prisoners attention and treatment of prisoners accompanied by housing in separate accompanied by housing in separate cells.cells.

The new philosophy and practice were an The new philosophy and practice were an attempt to treat and rehabilitate rather attempt to treat and rehabilitate rather than merely to punish or seek retribution.than merely to punish or seek retribution.

The first Charity Organization Society The first Charity Organization Society in the United States was established in the United States was established in Buffalo, New York, in 1877.in Buffalo, New York, in 1877.

The function of this type of agency The function of this type of agency was urgent because of the numerous was urgent because of the numerous independent welfare agencies that independent welfare agencies that were springing up and mushrooming were springing up and mushrooming in the population centers.in the population centers.

Closely allied to the community welfare Closely allied to the community welfare council movement has been the one for council movement has been the one for federated drives, collecting money for federated drives, collecting money for several agencies at one time.several agencies at one time.

Historically the first such drive took place in Historically the first such drive took place in Liverpool, England, in 1873, and the Liverpool, England, in 1873, and the original one in the United States occurred in original one in the United States occurred in 1887, spearheaded by the Associated 1887, spearheaded by the Associated Charities in Denver.Charities in Denver.

In the last forty years the trend has been In the last forty years the trend has been toward establishment of united fund toward establishment of united fund agencies (now called United Way in many agencies (now called United Way in many communities).communities).

Another significant development in social Another significant development in social services in America has been that of the services in America has been that of the social settlement house.social settlement house.

The first American settlement was organized The first American settlement was organized in New York City in 1886, and three years in New York City in 1886, and three years later the most famous one, Hull House, was later the most famous one, Hull House, was established by Jane Addams in Chicago.established by Jane Addams in Chicago.

These centers provided recreational, health These centers provided recreational, health and welfare needs of boys and girls, young and welfare needs of boys and girls, young men and women, particularly in deprived men and women, particularly in deprived areas.areas.

Public Assistance and Social Public Assistance and Social Welfare EmergeWelfare Emerge

During the Great Depression During the Great Depression numerous attempts were made to numerous attempts were made to assist the poor and the unemployed assist the poor and the unemployed and to bolster the economy.and to bolster the economy.– Federal Emergency Relief AdministrationFederal Emergency Relief Administration– The Works Progress AdministrationThe Works Progress Administration– The Civilian Conservation CorpsThe Civilian Conservation Corps

The monumental Social Security Act The monumental Social Security Act of 1935 altered the total plan of of 1935 altered the total plan of helping persons in need.helping persons in need.

First time the federal government First time the federal government assumed major responsibility in assumed major responsibility in assisting the needy.assisting the needy.

The major provisions of the act:The major provisions of the act:– A national old-age insurance system with A national old-age insurance system with

survivor provisions added in 1939.survivor provisions added in 1939.– A federal-state unemployment insurance A federal-state unemployment insurance

system.system.– Grants-in-aid to the states for old age Grants-in-aid to the states for old age

assistance, aid to families of dependent assistance, aid to families of dependent children and aid to the blind.children and aid to the blind.

– Services for aiding maternal and child health, Services for aiding maternal and child health, crippled children, child welfare, vocational crippled children, child welfare, vocational rehabilitation, and public health measures.rehabilitation, and public health measures.

Major significant changes were made in Major significant changes were made in social security legislation in the social security legislation in the enactment of Public Welfare enactment of Public Welfare Amendments of l962 – Public Law 87-543.Amendments of l962 – Public Law 87-543.

The importance of preventive, protective, The importance of preventive, protective, and rehabilitative services in public and rehabilitative services in public welfare was significantly recognized.welfare was significantly recognized.

75% of funding came from the federal 75% of funding came from the federal government.government.

Medicare was established in l966 to Medicare was established in l966 to provide economic security and protection provide economic security and protection against high costs of medical care.against high costs of medical care.

Medicaid was enacted under Title XIX of Medicaid was enacted under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.the Social Security Act.

Volunteer programs (Peace Corps, VISTA) Volunteer programs (Peace Corps, VISTA) were developed to have impact in the were developed to have impact in the areas of education and social welfare.areas of education and social welfare.

In 1972, social workers shifted from In 1972, social workers shifted from providing maintenance of social providing maintenance of social services to attempting to assist services to attempting to assist individuals and families with individuals and families with personal, family, and community personal, family, and community problems.problems.

Social welfare spending expanded Social welfare spending expanded from $14 billion to nearly $1,434 from $14 billion to nearly $1,434 billion in l994.billion in l994.

The Personal Responsibility and Work The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of Opportunity Reconciliation Act of l996 signed by President Clinton l996 signed by President Clinton ushered sweeping changes to the ushered sweeping changes to the nation’s public welfare system.nation’s public welfare system.– Loss of individual entitlementLoss of individual entitlement– Loss of an economic safety net for Loss of an economic safety net for

children and their familieschildren and their families

The philosophy of the new act was The philosophy of the new act was based on the notion that the old based on the notion that the old welfare system had failed by creating welfare system had failed by creating an entire class of people in our society an entire class of people in our society who would perpetuate dependency and who would perpetuate dependency and an “unproductive lifestyle”.an “unproductive lifestyle”.

Personal responsibility and work Personal responsibility and work opportunity will be the themes of public opportunity will be the themes of public welfare for at least the next decade.welfare for at least the next decade.

At his inauguration, President Clinton At his inauguration, President Clinton emphasized the importance of emphasized the importance of change: “We must do what no change: “We must do what no generation has had to do before. We generation has had to do before. We must invest more in our own people, must invest more in our own people, in their jobs and in their future… We in their jobs and in their future… We must do what America does best: must do what America does best: offer more opportunity to all and offer more opportunity to all and demand more responsibility from all.”demand more responsibility from all.”

Services of VolunteersServices of Volunteers

In 1973 the United Way of America In 1973 the United Way of America made a quantitative study of made a quantitative study of volunteer activities.volunteer activities.

Findings:Findings:– 2.4 billion volunteer persons-hours per 2.4 billion volunteer persons-hours per

yearyear– 80% of volunteer activities were in the 80% of volunteer activities were in the

provision of direct services.provision of direct services.

In 1988 contributions to voluntary In 1988 contributions to voluntary organizations in the United States organizations in the United States exceeded $100 billion, and 80 million exceeded $100 billion, and 80 million people volunteered a total of 14.9 people volunteered a total of 14.9 billion hours, worth at least another billion hours, worth at least another $150 billion.$150 billion.

By l995, it was reported that more By l995, it was reported that more than a third of the U.S. population – than a third of the U.S. population – 89 million people – were participating 89 million people – were participating in volunteerism.in volunteerism.

Social Work AppearsSocial Work Appears

In 1898 education for social work was In 1898 education for social work was initiated in a summer training course given initiated in a summer training course given by the Charity Organization Society of New by the Charity Organization Society of New York at Columbia University.York at Columbia University.

By 1921 the American Association of By 1921 the American Association of Social Workers was established.Social Workers was established.

In l955 the National Association of Social In l955 the National Association of Social Workers was created.Workers was created.

This professional body now enrolls This professional body now enrolls 160,000 members.160,000 members.

Social workers today are employed in every Social workers today are employed in every kind of setting of social welfare.kind of setting of social welfare.

They are given the more difficult tasks to They are given the more difficult tasks to perform and many gravitate to perform and many gravitate to administrative and supervisory positions.administrative and supervisory positions.

In 1974 the Council on Social Work In 1974 the Council on Social Work Education approved the accreditation of the Education approved the accreditation of the undergraduate programs in social work or undergraduate programs in social work or social welfare with the understanding that social welfare with the understanding that they would be upgraded and would provide they would be upgraded and would provide the first level of practice in social work.the first level of practice in social work.