Social Work Profession: A Journey Through Time

What Happened?

In 1877, the first American Charity Organization Society emerged to address the societal impacts of industrialization through a concept called scientific charity. Concepts from the business field were used to attempt to regulate public relief distribution to minority immigrant communities who were a rapidly growing part of the labor force. However, these scientific charity efforts proved largely ineffective, mostly because people favored the mutual aid systems established within their own communities.

Settlement houses were created in response to some of the societal changes caused by industrial expansion. This new type of social service agency focused on correcting the environmental causes of poverty. Their activities included conducting research, establishing a juvenile court system, creating widows pension programs, promoting legislation, prohibiting child labor, and introducing public health reforms and the concept of social insurance.

In 1886, the first U.S. settlement, the Neighborhood Guild, began in New York City.

In 1889, Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr created Hull House, the most famous American settlement house. Residents could access healthcare services, childcare, cultural events, employment support, and educational programs. The house also offered classes on various subjects, such as art, literature, music, and cooking.

What Happened?

During this period, the social work profession began to develop, marked by the establishment of the Russell Sage Foundation in 1907. This foundation played a crucial role in supporting the emerging field of child welfare.

In 1904, Simmons College in Boston collaborated with Harvard University to establish the Boston School for Social Workers. Simmons was the first college to provide training for clinical social workers. By 1908, a full curriculum social work program was offered through the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy, which is now known as the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration.

In 1909, President Theodore Roosevelt called the first White House Conference on Dependent Children.

In 1912, the Children’s Bureau was established. This marked an important milestone in our history of child welfare and protection.

What Happened?

In 1920 the Child Welfare League of America is established. Women also received the right to vote.

In 1931, Hull House co-founder Jane Addams became one of the first women to receive a Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1933 Franklin Delano Roosevelt became President and initiated the New Deal to address the widespread unemployment, poverty, and economic instability that plagued the nation.

Also in 1933, Frances Perkins, a social worker, was the first woman to be appointed to the cabinet of a U.S. President. Perkins drafted much of the New Deal legislation as the Secretary of Labor.

In 1935, the Social Security Act was established. To support the growing state welfare systems many inexperienced social workers were rapidly placed into service. States also established training programs and many state universities introduced undergraduate social work education programs.

What Happened?

During World War II (1939-1945) many social workers were given war-related assignments to provide services for communities impacted by the war. These social workers helped soldiers and their families deal with injuries and other medical issues. A special classification for military social workers was developed from the work done at this time.

In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802. It prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin in the defense industry during World War II. This order was an important milestone for addressing racial inequality and promoting equal opportunity in employment.

In 1942, Executive Order 9066 was signed. In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, this order authorized the relocation and internment of Japanese Americans living on the West Coast of the United States. This order has since been widely criticized as a violation of civil liberties and constitutional rights. The experience serves as a distinct reminder of the impact of wartime hysteria, racial prejudice, and the violation of individual rights.

In 1955, the Vietnam war started.

What Happened?

In 1961, President John F Kennedy signed the Executive Order of 1961. It drew attention to the importance of social work in promoting youth well-being.

In 1962, the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) program was a significant social welfare initiative in the United States. It provided financial assistance to low-income families with children who didn't have parental support due to things like death, disability, or absence.

In 1963, the Community Mental Health Act (CMHA) marked a significant milestone in mental health policy in the United States.

In 1964, one of the key events of the civil rights movement was the passage of the Civil Rights Act.

In 1965, the Voting Rights Act added voting rights for Black Americans, but it didn’t include voting rights for those convicted of felonies or non-citizens.

In 1964, the Economic Opportunity and Food Stamps Act expanded the federal food assistance program.

In 1965, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was passed. It was amended in 2015 and is now the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). That same year the Immigration and Naturalization Act Amendments, which repealed national origins quotas and set per-country limits, were passed.

In 1969, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), which previously required a Master of Social Work (MSW) for full membership, expanded full membership to people with a bachelor's degree from Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-approved programs. More social workers were needed to fill added positions from the expansion of social welfare programs in this time.

What Happened?

During the 1970s, federal spending on social welfare increased, but the employment prospects for social workers remained stagnant. Factors for this included a preference for "hard" services like material provisions over "soft" services like counseling. This resulted in reduced demand for social work professionals.

In 1978, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) became a federal law that governs the removal and out-of-home placement of American Indian children.

What Happened?

In 1981, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) was passed. It created major reforms to Medicaid and Medicare programs, which affected social work policies in healthcare.

In 1986, the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) was enacted. Social workers responded by providing essential services, advocating for immigrant rights, enhancing cultural competence, and collaborating with various stakeholders to meet the evolving needs of immigrant communities.

In 1988, the Family Support Act (FSA) was passed. It brought about many changes to welfare policies that included revising Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) with a goal to promote self-sufficiency among welfare recipients and reduce dependence on the welfare system. This was done through increasing child and family support benefits along with providing education, training, and employment services to low-income families.

What Happened?

During this decade, schools of social work saw a rise in funding for research and evaluation activities focused on domestic violence, child welfare, mental health, and aging.

In 1994, the Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) created and supported comprehensive, cost-effective responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.

In 1996, the passing of the Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) changed many aspects of social welfare by promoting self-sufficiency and work-based assistance.

What Happened?

In the early 2000s, social workers made up the greatest number of professionals in the mental health and family services domains. There were significant events like the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the onset of the recession in 2008.

In 2008, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was passed resulting in increased affordability of mental health and substance abuse services.

In 2009, the American Recovery and Investment Act (Stimulus Plan) was put into place to stimulate economic growth and help people recovery from the financial crisis.

In 2009, President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The law, named after a woman who discovered her employer was paying her less than men doing the same job, made it easier for Mrs. Ledbetter and others like her to effectively challenge unequal pay.

What Happened?

In 2012, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was established. It opened opportunities for undocumented individuals to enter and actively participate in the social work field, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to help address the needs of marginalized populations.

In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled on Obergefell v. Hodges and same sex marriage was upheld which meant:

• Same-sex marriage cannot be banned in the United States
• Same-sex marriages must be recognized nationwide
• Same-sex couples have equal rights to heterosexual couples under the law

In 2019, the world experienced the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, the Black Lives Matter movement also had a significant impact bringing issues of racial injustice and systemic oppression to the forefront. Social workers have been actively involved in advocating for racial equity, addressing the unique challenges faced by Black individuals and communities, and working towards dismantling systemic racism within the field and society.

What Happened?

In 2021, the United States experienced an 11.6% rise in reported hate crime incidents. This data is based on reports from 14,859 law enforcement agencies representing 91.1% of the population. Additionally, the increased occurrence of mass shootings has highlighted the need for social workers to be equipped with the skills and resources necessary to address the complex psychosocial needs of survivors, families, and communities impacted by these acts of violence.

In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. This was a monumental change that meant the states had the power again to regulate abortion.

The profession of social work is facing numerous challenges including staff shortages exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19, geographic disparities, lack of investment in community services, growing demand surpassing capacity, the opioid epidemic, an aging population, and high turnover rates with low compensation. These factors are straining resources and can hinder the ability of social workers to adequately address needs.