The Evolution of Social Work: Historical

Milestones
Explore the history of social work through this interactive slideshow
documenting some of the greatest milestones in the social services profession.

Roots of Modern Social Work

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To compensate for ineffective government response to growing social problems,

benevolent societies and self-help organizations took to addressing the
consequences of urbanization, poverty, and immigration. Founded in 1843 and
1853 respectively, two such organizations were the Association for the
Improvement of the Condition of the Poor and the Children’s Aid Society. They
focused on addressing social issues such as child welfare and tenement

The Civil War Spurs Action

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Based on the need created by the upheaval of the Civil War (1861-1865), major
social welfare initiatives, such as the U.S. Sanitary Commission and the American
Red Cross, emerged. Charity boards were created as a means to improve the
management of social institutions. The first federal social welfare program,
referred to as the Freedmen’s Bureau, began in 1865 as a means to help newly
emancipated slaves. The program was short-lived; however, as a lack of funds
and political pressure prevented it from carrying out its mission. Congress shut
down the Freedmen’s Bureau in 1872.

The Use of Scientific Charity

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In 1877, the first American Charity Organization Society attempted to respond to

the social consequences of industrialization, with “scientific charity.” Using
concepts from the business field, reformers attempted to regulate public relief
distribution to minority immigrant communities who were a rapidly growing part
of the labor force. However, most of the scientific charity relief efforts were not
effective in part because many recipients preferred mutual aid established by
their own communities.

The Rise of Settlement Houses

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Settlement houses were created in response to some of the societal changes

caused by industrial expansion. Settlement houses are neighborhood-based
organizations that provide services specific to the needs of their neighborhoods
— much like a community center. 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. The first U.S.
settlement, the Neighborhood Guild, began in New York City in 1886.

Hull House: An American Institution

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In 1889, Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr created The Hull House, the most
famous American settlement house. Located in the midst of a culturally diverse
neighborhood in Chicago, the Hull House welcomed anyone in need of
assistance. The residents of Hull House offered public education programs to
everyone in the community along with social services such as a public kitchen,
access to public baths, and a nursery.

Early Social Work Education Programs Are Born

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In the late 19th century, full programs dedicated social work education began to
take shape. Among them, Columbia University partnered with The New York
College of Science to develop and offer the first social work class. 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.

A High Profile Stumbling Block

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Despite increased training opportunities for social workers, there remained a lot
of uncertainty about the future of the profession. In 1915, at the National
Conference of Charities and Corrections, Dr. Abraham Flexner asserted that
social work couldn’t be considered a true profession in his “Is Social Work a
Profession?” presentation due to it’s lack of specificity, specialized skills, and
knowledge.
Social Work Education Programs Take Hold
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Formal social work training programs spread through major urban areas in the
early 20th century. By 1919, there were 17 schools of social work affiliated with
the Association of Training Schools of Professional Social Work before it became
the Council on Social Work Education.

World War I Requires Expertise

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The Red Cross and the Army requested social workers to apply casework skills to
treat soldiers for “shell shock” in World War I (1914-1928). This marked the first
time social workers were called upon to treat social issues that weren’t limited to
poverty.

The Field Takes a Leap Forward

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In the early 19th century, social workers began to work in conjunction with
psychiatrists and psychologists. These cooperative efforts helped to spark
legitimization of the field, and by 1927 more than 100 child guidance clinics were
opened to provide services primarily to middle-class clients. In addition to these
clinics, the Community Chest movement began in 1913. A precursor of the United
Way and its health and welfare councils, Community Chest organizations raised
money from businesses to fund community projects.

Government Responds to the Great Depression

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The stock market crash in October 1929 signaled the start of a depression that
would last for a decade. The Great Depression (1929-1939) created a shift in the
belief that social welfare was a government responsibility versus a private
charitable responsibility. Economic decline highlighted the insufficiency of local
and state public relief agencies and ultimately, it revolutionized the role the
federal government played in social welfare efforts.

The New Deal Expands Assistance

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Government programs began evolving under the Roosevelt administration. The
New Deal (1933-1936) led to dozens of social welfare acts including the Social
Security Act of 1935. Social welfare programs expanded to include housing,
recreation, cultural activities, social insurance, and child welfare programs.

WWII Requires Military Social Workers

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limits and conditions on cash assistance from the federal government. During
this decade, schools of social work received increased funding for research and
evaluation activities in areas such as domestic violence, child welfare, mental
health, and aging.

Ma
n answer questions
Social Work in the 21st Century
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By the early 2000s, social workers made up the largest percentage of

professionals working in the mental health and family services fields. These
professionals were ready with treatment options for those affected by events
such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the recession
that began in 2008. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was passed
in 2008 to require insurance coverage for mental health services at the same level
of coverage for physical health issues, making mental health and substance
abuse services more affordable for many people. New technology like social
media allows social workers to begin addressing global issues more effectively.