1. Historical Foundations of Social Welfare in America
Chapter 2

2. Colonial Period

3. Views of Colonial Period
America land of abundant resources
Native people and African slaves were regarded as nonpersons without rights
Room for growth and personal gain
Poverty seen as a personal misfortune, not a public responsibility
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

4. Elizabethan Poor Laws
The first public social welfare legislation, established in England
Established categories of need
Worthy Poor - Widows, orphans, elderly, people with physical disability
Unworthy Poor - Able bodied singles and unmarried women
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

5. Elizabethan Poor Laws The laws created structures that still exist
Economic support must come from family first, then local community
Person in need has to be a legal resident of the community
Belief that there is work for everyone, if you want to work
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

6. Social Welfare in Colonial America - 1600-1800
The South
“Poor Laws” did not apply to slaves
Responsibility was with owners
The North
Native people also had no rights
Poverty was seen as personal misfortune
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

7. Pre-Civil War Period
Economic shift in country from agrarian to industrial
Immigrants coming to U.S. settled in the urban area
Social welfare centered around a religious, moralistic perspective of correcting behavior
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

8. Pre-Civil War Period
Residential institutions became solutions for social problems such as mental illness, orphans, and disabled
Poverty was still viewed as individual’s fault
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

9. Civil War and Post War Period 1861- 1874
Federal government provided benefits for the first time - Freedman’s Bureau
Racial discrimination for both African American and Native Americans
Started consideration that poverty went beyond the individual
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

10. The Progressive Era 1875-1925 Industrial Expansion
Growth in urban area with increase in poverty
Beginning of national involvement in social welfare
Roots of social work started in this era
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

11. The Progressive Era 1875-1925 Charity Organization Societies
Believed urban poverty was rooted in character deficiencies of the poor
Poverty could be abolished by helping people recognize their flaws
Advocated for coordination services
Created casework concept
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

12. Charity Organization Societies
Goals and Strategies:
To ensure that children did not grow up paupers
Aid in finding work for all who are able to work
Train in skill all who were deficient
Inspire new hope and self respect
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

13. The Progressive Era 1875-1925 Settlement Movement
Social Workers should live (settle) amongst the poor
Empowerment through community involvement
Encouraged organizations to gain political and social power
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

14. Fostered social workers involvement in:
The Progressive Era
Fostered social workers involvement in:
Social welfare policy development
Group Work
Community Involvement
Hull House classic example
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

15. The Progressive Era: Key Events
Establishment of the National Women’s Suffrage Association -1890
The Supreme Court legitimized separate facilities for African Americans in Plessy V. Ferguson
19th Amendment to the Constitution granted women right in 1920.
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

16. Federal involvement in social welfare of U.S.
THE GREAT DEPRESSION
Federal involvement in social welfare of U.S.

17. The Great Depression
Existing social welfare systems were unable to meet the need
Public opinion changed as to cause of poverty
The New Deal was federal government’s response to social conditions
Started with FERA, CCC, and WPA
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

18. The Social Security Act of 1935
Compromise piece of legislation
Created Social Insurance and Public Assistance
Started state run programs for aged, dependent children, unemployed, vocational rehabilitation, infant and maternal health
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

19. Social Insurance
Intended for workers and their dependents at retirement, disability, or death
Social – To provide for anyone as long as they have paid into the system
Insurance – Guaranteed for rest of your life
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

20. Public Assistance
Intended as government assistance for those who fall below the poverty line
Public – Funded through general revenue collected by government
Assistance – Meant to be temporary and for people in distress
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

21. Post War Economy - 1940-1960 Period of economic recovery
Federal government passed the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (AKA – GI Bill)
Added disability coverage to the Social Security Act
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

22. Social Reform – The 60’s War on Poverty – 1964 Equal Opportunity Act
Head Start
VISTA
Job Corp
Food Stamp Program
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

23. Social Reform – 1960 Civil Rights Act – 1964
Older Americans Act – 1965
Amended Social Security Act:
Added Medicare
And Medicaid
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

24. Renewed conservatism 1970-1980
Comprehensive Employment and Training Act – CETA – 1973
Gain for women – NOW was formed
Roe vs. Wade passed
Gay rights movement mobilized
Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Emergency Care
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

25. Move towards Liberalism & Neo-liberalism 1990-2000
American Disability Act – 1990
Civil Rights Restoration Act – 1993
Family Medical Leave Act – 1993
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act – 1996
Replaced AFDC with TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

26. Economic Shifts of the 1990s
Proposed a universal health insurance program for all Americans
Passed Violence Against Women Act that include hand gun control
Proposed measures to prevent discrimination against gays/lesbians.
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

27. The New Century Medicare prescription drug benefits
War: fiscal and social impacts?
Next steps?