with neighborly aid of food and provisions, domestic help and other assistance offered by individuals, faith groups and community efforts. Policy supported that those in need were first to seek assistance from local parish and from family (Woodside & McClam, 2011). As the populations grew, so did the occurrence of indigence, crime, poverty and needs of the elderly, ill, and disabled. Various policies, including the Elizabethan Poor Law, dictated laws meant to help. However, no set of policies proved to adequately cover the multitude and growing diversity of need (Woodside & McClam, 2011). The private sector, faith based organizations, and volunteer efforts stepped in to help. These types of assistance could cover a broad range of needs, or address a specific cause and fill some of the gaps in services. Through the next few centuries, more immigrants came to this country. Needs differed between rural and urban settings, and were impacted by cultural differences and economic disparities. War brought in the need for veteran services. Various philosophies and actions were introduced as solutions to caring for those in need. Social engineering, for example, supported the philosophy that helpers should immerse into the everyday life of high risk neighborhoods by means of settlement houses, and guide these people into better living experiences. The Great Depression in the 20th century inspired the introduction of New Deal legislation to address short term work relief needs and the Social Security act to protect against potential future economic disasters (Woodside & McClam, 2011). The actions that were taken during these two different times in American history, while not perfect, point to creativity, perseverance, advocacy and leadership that defines our country. Unfortunately, these two examples also point to the pattern of a to handling problems. “knee-jerk,” reactionary response While we cannot anticipate all the crises and needs that may occur, we should take an historical perspective of human service management to guide us into this 21st century so that we
with neighborly aid of food and provisions, domestic help and other assistance offered by individuals, faith groups and community efforts. Policy supported that those in need were first to seek assistance from local parish and from family (Woodside & McClam, 2011). As the populations grew, so did the occurrence of indigence, crime, poverty and needs of the elderly, ill, and disabled. Various policies, including the Elizabethan Poor Law, dictated laws meant to help. However, no set of policies proved to adequately cover the multitude and growing diversity of need (Woodside & McClam, 2011). The private sector, faith based organizations, and volunteer efforts stepped in to help. These types of assistance could cover a broad range of needs, or address a specific cause and fill some of the gaps in services. Through the next few centuries, more immigrants came to this country. Needs differed between rural and urban settings, and were impacted by cultural differences and economic disparities. War brought in the need for veteran services. Various philosophies and actions were introduced as solutions to caring for those in need. Social engineering, for example, supported the philosophy that helpers should immerse into the everyday life of high risk neighborhoods by means of settlement houses, and guide these people into better living experiences. The Great Depression in the 20th century inspired the introduction of New Deal legislation to address short term work relief needs and the Social Security act to protect against potential future economic disasters (Woodside & McClam, 2011). The actions that were taken during these two different times in American history, while not perfect, point to creativity, perseverance, advocacy and leadership that defines our country. Unfortunately, these two examples also point to the pattern of a “knee-jerk,” reactionary response to handling problems. While we cannot anticipate all the crises and needs that may occur, we should take an historical perspective of human service management to guide us into this 21st century so that we
Human-Services.-Moving-in-a-Positive-Forward-Direction.docx