chapter 1: social welfare, past and present

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole, Publishing

SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL WELFARE: AN INTRODUCTION by Ambrosino/ Shuttlesworth/ Heffernan/ Ambrosino

Chapter 1: Social Welfare, Past and Present

Social Work: A Competency-Oriented Education

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

- Defines Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAs)

- Developed 10 “Core Competencies” and 41 Related “Practice Behaviors”

Every student should master the Practice Behaviors and Core Competencies before completing the program


Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008

The Textbook –

- “Helping Hands” icons call attention to content that relates to Practice Behaviors and Competencies

- “Competency Notes” at the end of the chapter help put the Practice Behaviors and Competencies in practical context


Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008 (cont’d)

The Practice Behaviors Workbook developed

with the text provides assignable exercises that assist in mastering the Practice Behavior and Competencies

Additional on-line resources can be found at: www.cengage.com/socialwork


Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning. Brooks/Cole, Publishing


What is social welfare?The full range of organized activities of public and

voluntary agencies that seek to prevent, alleviate or

contribute to the solution of a selected set of social

problems

EP 2.1.3a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing


Relationship between social welfare

and social work?Social work is the primary profession that works

within the social welfare system and with those

served by the system

EP 2.1.1a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing


The value base of social welfare -

Whose role is it to help those in need?Historical differences in value perspectives:• Judeo Christian humanitarianism• Laissez- faire economic doctrine • Residual and institutional perspectives

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a


Role of English heritage in

the U.S. social welfare systemIn England:• Church and feudal system in early years• Could no longer handle number of poor during

Industrial Revolution • English Parliament responded by passing

Elizabethan Poor Law in 1601

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a



Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601• “Worthy poor” placed in almshouses (indoor relief)

• Able-bodied poor placed in prisons or workhouses• Guided philosophy of aid to poor in U.S. until Social

Security Act of 1935

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.8aCopyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole, Publishing


Impact of Elizabethan Poor Law on U.S. social welfare policy

• Clear government responsibility for the poor• Government authority to force people to work and

families to care for their dependents• Local governments responsible for poor• Strict residency requirements

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.8aCopyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole, Publishing


Social welfare in Colonial America• Philosophy of English Poor Law• Poor “warned out”• Indentured servitude and slavery• Indoor relief - assistance in homes of others, in

poorhouses, or in prisons

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a




After the American Revolution• Outdoor relief - cash assistance in own home• New organizations to assist the urban poor:

- New York Society for the Prevention of Pauperism – “Friendly visitors”- Society for Improving the Conditions of the Poor- Charity Organization Society

EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a


Caring for specific populations• Dorothea Dix (military ill/insane) • Jane Addams/Hull House – social reform• Charity Organization Societies (“scientific charity”

and individual support)

EP 2.1.8b, 2.1.9b



Great Depression and New Deal• First time federal government provided direct aid to

individuals• Established historical precedent for health and

welfare services• Federal Emergency Relief Act (FERA)• Works Progress Administration (WPA)• Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

EP 2.1.8b, 2.1.9b



Social Security Act (1935)• Most significant piece of social welfare legislation

ever passed in U.S. • Provided for:

- Social insurance (Social Security)- Public assistance (need-based, Aid to Dependent Children - ADC)- Health and welfare services

EP 2.1.8b, 2.1.9b



Post-Social Security Era

Great Society Programs in 1960s:

• Medicare and Medicaid

• Civil Rights Act

• Economic Opportunity Act (Head Start)

Conservatism in 1970s and 80s

EP 2.1.8b, 2.1.9b



Welfare Reform• Rapidly expanding welfare costs

• Era of conservatism

• More women in workforce

• Welfare devolution

• Family Support Act of 1988 - emphasis on work,

job training, child care, health care

EP 2.1.8b, 2.1.9b



Clinton – “end welfare as we know it”• Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity

Reconciliation Act of 1996• Ended AFDC as national entitlement program• Replaced with Temporary Assistance for Needy

Families (TANF)• Stringent work requirements, maximum lifetime

benefit limit of 5 years • Limited benefits for unmarried mothers < 18

EP 2.1.8b, 2.1.9b



G.W. Bush Years• Welfare roles reduced, but more working poor and

rapidly growing underclass• Economic downturn means fewer jobs, most without

benefits • Local communities feeling the brunt• Federal priorities not geared toward helping those in

need• Hurricane Katrina and beyond

EP 2.1.8b, 2.1.9bCopyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole, Publishing


The Obama Years• Hope that government would address social

welfare needs of underserved populations• Economic collapse in U.S. has worldwide impact• Federal government launched broad-scale

economic stimulus package• Landmark health care reform legislation passed• U.S. budget deficit reaches $1 trillion

EP 2.1.8a, 2.1.8b, 2.1.9b


chapter 1: social welfare, past and present

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