Integration of Human Services-Why Faith-Based Is Here to Stay

Veronica Horton

MHS 500

Concordia University

Feb. 19, 2015

Integration of Human Services-Why Faith-Based Is Here to Stay

Before the New Deal, social welfare was privately funded and administrated. Herbert Hoover’s theory of an “associative state” he encouraged communication and networking among private charity sector (Daly, 2009, p. 34). However, there was not much support on the eve of the Great Depression for any federal cash assistance (Daly, 2009, p. 34). During the 1920’s, “less than one-sixth of one percent of national income was dedicated to public poor relief” (Daly, 2009, p. 34). The Great Depression marked a turning point for the public welfare system. More families were in need and charities could not handle the additional stress to assist them. Unemployment was high and things were unstable. “Only the government can afford to put a floor beneath the economy for displaced workers” (Daly, 2009, p. 35).

The Social Work Conference on Federal Action for Unemployment was established in 1931. Charity leaders went to Washington in support of federal unemployment relief and a bill sponsored by Senator Robert Wagner was passed (Daly, 2009, p. 35). This bill gave authorization for federal cash assistance for those unemployed. In 1932, Franklin Roosevelt established the Federal Emergency Relief Administration which he then pointed Harry Hopkins as the director of. According to Daly (2009), Hopkins set to validate public welfare as needed function within the government creating sectors which could provide social services without relying on the general public (p. 35).

With so many people in need it was virtually impossible for privately funded agencies to keep up. More people needed help and less donation were available. People struggled to take care of themselves and families much less donate to help others, charities simply could not keep up with the demand. More resources were had by the government which was better suited to help the high demand of people in need (Daly, 2009, p. 36). The welfare of the people were now in the hands of government versus entirely on the private sector allowing them to care more for other needs among society.

In 1962, John F. Kennedy signed into law the Public Welfare Amendments under the Social Security Act (Daly, 2009, p. 38), “Initiating a more or less distinct category of grants to the states for social services” (p. 38). The new government was redefined and the functioning of social services under a new direction. Community based programs were established such as Head Start and Project ENABLE (Education and Neighborhood Actions for Better Living Environment 1964 (Daly, 2009, p. 38).

Bradley (n.d.), states that the Democratic Party is for support of those in poverty and social injustice. They believe that government incentives along with regulations can increase the economy and reduce businesses that adversely affect Americans. Opposite of that is the Republican Party which tends to believe in less government involvement with businesses and that the more businesses that are created then the less need for social programs.

I believe there is a place for faith-based social services. Faith-based organizations help reduce the strain on other agencies and the government. I think that as long as there are guidelines and set boundaries then the faith-based social services and government agencies can work together. There are common goals and as long as both are working towards those goals and not sideline goals then together great things can happen. Only when one wants to “out do” the other will problems be created. Lastly, in my opinion to not have faith-based services which help significantly in society would be even more of a drain on the government and society. Faith-based organizations, just makes sense.

References

Bradley,J.C. (n.d.). What Is the Ideology of the Democrats? | The Classroom | Synonym.

RetrievedFebruary19, 2015, from http://classroom.synonym.com/ideology-democrats-6539.html

Daly, L. (2009). Why' Faith-Based' is here to stay. Policy Review (157), 31-46.