The Welfare System
The Welfare System

Instructor:
Dr.Michelle March
HN300-01
DUE: 12/20/2011

Instructor:
Dr.Michelle March
HN300-01
DUE: 12/20/2011
Franklin Moe, Jr.

Human Services & Social Policy

Franklin Moe, Jr.

Human Services & Social Policy

To understand the “Welfare System” one must know its history. The American welfare system has changed dramatically over the past 80 years. A 100 years ago, families, local communities, and charities; typically religious based, served as the safety net for those who had fallen on hard times. The Great Depression of the 1930s would see a change in social policy with the passing of President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” establishing Social Security and Aid to
The scope and quality of child welfare services varies a great deal from one community to another (www.welfareinfo.org retrieved 12/13/11). The purpose of the investigative program is to inquire into allegations of abuse and neglect. Many times these referrals are screened out. Many of these investigations do not turn up any evidence of neglect or abuse however, when the children are in imminent danger of harm from further abuse or neglect, the children services investigations will turn the case over for placement. Most child welfare services also provide foster care. Foster care can consist of emergency shelters where children are housed for a few hours or days. Foster care parents who open their homes where children who need a safe haven for a few weeks or months, or long term foster care homes where children may live for years. Some child welfare services programs also operate residential programs which are specialized to provide care for children who may suffer from extreme emotional and behavioral problems. However, there are more children in need of foster care than there are foster homes and group homes in which to place them, child welfare agencies typically have programs for what is known as family preservation. The purpose of these family preservation programs is to provide intense counseling and support for a multitude of family problems according to The History of the Welfare