Public Assistance & Benefits

HMS 16/Week1Thursday 6pm-8:50pm

Instructor: Thu Tran, MSW

● Attendance

● Syllabus

● Lecture

● Break

● Journal

● Select Group Presentations

● Discuss Coursesite Usage

Agenda

Course Overview & History of the Social Welfare SystemWhat do you know about the Social Welfare System?● Take 2 minutes and write down what you

know about the Social Welfare System.

What is Social Welfare?

● Social Welfare addresses the well-being of people in society.

● It is a collection of programs, resources & services available to help people

● Social welfare services are created and established through:o Public Laws and Policieso Federal & state legislatures and local & court

Helping People

● Institutional services are in place to PREVENT problems. o They are proactive and provide benefits or services

to people before problem arise.

● Residual services come in to play only AFTER there is an identifiable problem.o They are designed to address only the identified

problems and are only available when all other resources are lacking and when there is a documented need.

The History of U.S. Social Welfare● Today’s Social Welfare System (SWS) reflects 4

centuries of responses to social needs.● Development of SW policy and systems since the

earliest European colonist arrived in this country.● Can be broken down to 9 key periods

o Colonialo Pre Civil War, Civil War & Post Civil Waro Progressive Erao The Great Depression & The New Dealo World War II & The Post-War Economyo The Social Reform Yearso The Retrenchment Yearso Now-New Millennium: Terrorism, War and Financial Struggles

Colonial Period

● First SW policy to be widely implemented in this country was an English system based on the Elizabthen Poor Laws.

● What is it’s primary principles?o The poor were categorized as: worthy or unworthy to

receive aid Worthy poor: widows, orphans, elderly & people

w/ disabilities Unworthy poor: able-bodied single adults &

unmarried women w/ children born out of wedlock

● Aid for the poor first came from families and only when the family absolutely could not provide economic support, did public authorities step in.

● Legal residency in the community was necessary to be eligible for assistance.

● Assistance was temporary and only for emergencies. The ultimate goal was for each recipient to gain employment or marry someone who was employed.

Pre-Civil War

Growing Social Problems● Influx of European immigrants● Communities could not afford adequate care for social needs and

sought new ways to deal with poverty and social problemsResponding to Needs● Creation of residential institution (referred to as indoor relief) were

developed by local government & private relief groups. They include:o Almshouses for the pooro Asylums for people w/ mental health problemso Orphanages for children without parents could not afford to

care for them● The institutions were believed to be the way alleviate social

problems

The Civil War & Post Civil War● 1860s, Social & economic differences between the North and

the South led the U.S. into a Civil War.● Devastation & upheaval caused by the war contributed to a

national realization that some social concerns were well beyond the reach of families & local communities.

● Post war, reconstruction period, federal government tried to aid displaced families and make reparation for losses incurred in the war.

● Results: Freedman’s Bureau was launched in 1865 as the first federal social service program to help provide temporary assistance to newly freed slaves by:o Reuniting familieso Medical careo Food Rationso Make property available

Progressive Era

● Rapid industrialization caused a significant economic change.

● The tremendous social, economic and political change during this era gave rise to new ways to address societal problems resulting in the birth of the social work profession.

● Charity Organization Societies and the Settlement Movement evolved.o These were non-governmental movements served as

the foundation of the social work profession.o An awareness of the influence of environmental or

structural factors on the individual’s life influenced new social values for welfare services.

The Great Depression & The New Deal● Most significant economic downturn in the

U.S. history. ● During the Great Depression, the imbalance

between supply & demand destroyed social well-being on an immense scale.

● The scope of the problems and social needs overwhelmed existing state, local and private agencies and programs.

Outcomes:● Permanent involvement of the federal government in

both the provision of social services and the regulation of the economy.

● Social and Economic reforms were introduced.The New Deal● First responded w/ immediate financial relief and short-

term employment and then follow up by investing public funds promote long-term employment.o Immediate efforts includes:

distribution of funds through the Federal Emergency Relief Administration & Civil Works Administration

Organized and provided permanent solutions

● Social Security Act of 1935 allowed for:o Long term protection through a federal program of

social insurance and public assistance.o The first comprehensive federal effort to ensure

economic security and address poverty.

World War II

● WWII forced the nation to focus its economic and social resources on war. o It increased employment as people joined the

military and went to work in war-related industries.● Post war: federal legislation had a profound effect on

returning soldiers. New legislation created.o The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (GI Bill)

which help soldiers adapt to civilian life. Education Training Employment services Home and Business loans

Post War Economy

● 1950s, there was a large focus on family and individual achievements. The government aligned themselves to this focus by helping families with:o Subsidizing home ownership and transportationo Moving out of city life to newly developed suburban

● Negative affects:o Fragmentation of extended families o Lack of support from familyo A greater need for outside resourceso Leaving disenfranchised individuals in the city-

causing a lower, middle and upper class distinction

Social Reform Years

● Federal government remained involved in helping through social welfare policies and programs, there were still gaps and holes in support.o Biggest gap was in medical care for the elderly & poor

● 1965, Medicaid and Medicare were passed into law:o Medicaid: health coverage for low income o Medicare: health coverage for senior citizens & people w/

disabilities

● Other efforts introduced to battle the War on Poverty in the 1960s was the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 which introduced various programs:o Job Trainingo Employment Incentiveso Community Actiono Food Stampo Head Start

Retrenchment Years

● Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980 on a platform of decreasing the federal government’s role in social welfare and turning back to local entities. This is known as “Devolution”.o It diminished role for the federal government in anti-poverty

programs & increased variation among other programs.

● 1990s, most significant changes in the welfare reform was Aid to Families w/ Dependent Children transition to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs.o AFDC provided primary cash support for poor women &

childreno TANF provided temporary financial assistance while

aiming to get people off of that assistance primarily through employment.

Social Welfare in the New Millennium: Terrorism, War and Financial Struggles

Since the terrorist attack on 9/11/01, there was a shift from the devolution of government social services.● Federal government invested in the provision and funding

of most social services programs.● The U.S. Economy has gone through 2 economic

downturns during Pres. Bush Sr & Jr’s presidency.o 2001 Recession & 2007-2008 Mortgage Financial woes

● Impact: affected employment and income which produced needs for:o Health Care Coverageo Rento Food Assistance

● Election & Re-election of Pres. Obama in 2008 & 2012 led to:o Death of Osama Bin Ladeno Withdrawal of troops and promise to end the

war (Iraq & Afghanistan)o Reform of health care- 2010 Affordable Care

Act/Obama Careo Womens rights o Tackle Unemployment & Mortgage issueso Energy policy and Gun control