Human Services. I chose this because of how much has changed
and/or improved since the early times. During the time in Colonial
America relief for help was supported by individuals and groups
donating resources or labor to schools, hospitals, or needy people.
But the population grew and assistance was needed even more.
Colonists used the "Elizabethan Poor Laws" to meet needs. There are
four principles in this law. First, define poor relief as a public
responsibility. Second, is the resident legal, because services were
provided at the local or parish level. The third, was the family
responsibility, only members for needy individuals. You were denied
public aid if you had parents, grandparents, children, or grandchildren.
The fourth concerns children and work by declaring children of
paupers were apprentices to farmers and artisans who agreed to care
for them. The 19th Century had three philosophies that influenced
social justice or the lack of it in America. The philosophy of
"individualism" viewed America as the land of opportunity. Hard work
to success. Laissaz-faire, (leave alone) was an economic concept that
focused on societal and government responsibility. The 20th
Century's "New Direction in Mental Health" early in the 1900's called
the "sociological era" continues social reform. Providing services for
the ones in need by the organization of the Social Worker, a
profession of people with the specific skills of knowledge and
understanding to work with the poor.
Reading the vast improvement in mental health care, the separation
of the diagnosis of each individual of different health care problems
by introducing the "Mental Health Study Act of 1955". (Public Law -
84-82) which provided funding for a Joint Commission on Mental
Illness and Health, "To analyze and evaluate the needs and resources
of the mentally ill in the United States and make recommendations
for a national Mental Health program. (Albee, 1962, p.x.) a This
commissioned the training, research, facilities, and programs.
The historical part of Human Services is the depletion of some
services by Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford began the limitations in
funding on Human Services, cutting back welfare, and decline in
Federal spending. Jimmy Carter brought in Human Services which
brought in a wide range of resources. He was in office for four years
then the Reagan administration came in and cut funding down again.
The most disappointing and tuff administration was under Barach
Obama and his Health care reform. To put it mildly, it was a disaster
and I remember the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, telling
America to not agree with Barach's health bill. It would cost too much
and a tax penalty was added if no insurance coverage was not used. I
saw the disaster of people I knew who had to pay hundreds of dollars
to their taxes until Trump ended it in 2018. But today there are so
much more resources in Human Services and it is good to know that
even today people in need are getting the help that is offered.
Woodside, M. An Introduction to Human Services (2021) pages 62-
63, pages 67-69, pages 72, pages 75-76.
Tognotti, C. (September 25, 2015) Remember John Boehner's
Obamacare Meltdown
https://www.bustle.com/article/113145-remember-john-boehner's-
Obamacare-meltdown/
