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History of American Social Welfare, 1690-1800 (text from Elizabeth A. Segal. 5th addition)
This era is also known as the Colonial Period. The earliest social welfare policy in this country came from England with the colonists. The first policy was to be implemented in this country was a system based on the Elizabethan Poor Law (EPL). Colonial America was a land of abundant resources. The principles espoused in the EPL guide our system of public assistance to this day. We value individual effort and achievement, when someone is poor or can’t work we place blame on the individual. -
History of American Social Welfare, 1801-1860(text from Elizabeth A. Segal. 5th addition)
The pre-civil war. Cities flooded with European immigrants most arrived with few or no resources. Created "Leiby" which is residential institutions often referred to as indoor relief by local government and private groups. Most of these institutions lacked any real rehabilitation or treatment. Today’s institutions are different but the ideas that underline them are the same. Some examples of social welfare institutions are group homes, halfway houses, and residential treatment facilities. -
History of American Social Welfare, 1861-1874(text from Elizabeth A. Segal. 5th addition)
Differences between the North and the South led the US in a Civil War. The Southern states adhered to slavery, and the Northern states insisted on abolishing slavery. The Civil War resulted in economic and social change. The freedman's Bureau became the first federal social service program, goals were to assist newly freed slaves, reunite families, give medical care and food rations, and make property available. However, racism was embedded in American Society, and it did not just disappear. -
History of American Social Welfare, 1875-1925(text from Elizabeth A. Segal. 5th addition)
Progressive Era. This period saw major change in social welfare and the birth of the profession of social work. More people would work producing clothing, steel, and more. There was also a huge influx of immigrants and a large movement towered expansion. This created crowded living conditions, which intern resulted in poor health and overall poverty for many people. The Charity Organization and the Settlement Movement evolved. Both served as the footing for the social work profession. -
History of American Social Welfare, 1926-1940(text from Elizabeth A. Segal. 5th addition)
The Great Depression of the 1930's changed everything. At least one out of every four workers were unemployed. Many people waited outside of banks to withdrawal their life savings, only to learn their money was gone. The imbalance between supply and demand was so great that it ruined social wellbeing. The New Deal and Social Security Act was implemented. Social Security provided long term protection through federal program of social insurance and public assistance. -
History of American Social Welfare, 1941-1959(text from Elizabeth A. Segal. 5th addition)
Next came World War II. WWII forced the nation to focus its economic and social resources on war. The war effort increased employment as people joined military and went to work in war related industries. Annual federal expenses expanded from the late 30s to late 40s. After the war the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, or GI Bill, funded education, training, employment, and home/business loans to help soldiers adapt to civilian life. By the 1950s the focus became economic and social development. -
History of American Social Welfare, 1960-1975(text from Elizabeth A. Segal. 5th addition)
The Social Reform Years. Policies and programs developed and after the war there were holes in the system. The biggest gap was medical care for the elderly and poor. In 1965 Medicaid and Medicare were passed into laws and became part of the Social Security Act. 1960s the Civil Rights Act, and Voting Rights Act were passed. The war on poverty was the major effect on the 1960s. It was a series of policies under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 intended to fight poverty through the US.