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1843-1853
To compensate for the ineffective governments response to growing social problems, benevolent societies and self-help organizations took it upon themselves to address the consequences of urbanization, poverty, and immigration. They created two organizations; The Association for the Improvement of the Condition of the Poor and the Children's Aid Society. They worked towards improving issues such as child welfare and tenement housing. -
1877
In 1877 the first American Charity Organization Society called "Scientific Charity" was created in an attempt to respond to the social consequences of industrialization. -
1889
Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr created the Hull House. It was the most famous settlement house located in Chicago. It welcomed anyone in need of assistance offering education, kitchen access, bathroom, access, and a nursery. -
Late 19th century
Early social work education programs are born. New York College of Science established the first social work class, in 1904 a college in Boston collaborated with Harvard to create the first school for social work education, and in 1908 a full curriculum social work program was offered in a college in Chicago. -
1914-1928
During world war II, the Red Cross and Army requested social workers to apply casework skills to treat soldiers for "shell shock". This was marked as the first time social workers were called upon to treat social issues that wasn't poverty. -
1920's
Formal social work training programs spread through major urban areas in the early 20th century. By 1919 there were 17 schools for social work. -
1929
The stock market crashed in 1929 causing the great depression (1929-1939) creating a shift in the belief that social welfare was a government responsibility vs. a private charitable responsibility. Economic decline played a role in social welfare efforts. -
1933-1936
Government programs began evolving under the Roosevelt administration. The new deal (1933-1936) led to dozen 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. -
1939-1945
World War II required military social workers. Social workers were given war-related assignments during this time (1939-1945) to develop services for communities impacted by the war. Social workers during this time helped families cope with injuries and other medical problems. A special classification of social workers was developed from this work. -
1952-1955
After World War II, efforts were made to improve the professional status of social work. The council on social work education was formed 1952. The national Association of Social Work was created in 1955 to further the professional status of social work. -
1964
President Johnson announced a launch of an "unconditional war on poverty" in 1964. With this, the recognition of poverty as a social problem took hold. Other bigger issues were brought to attention and focused on. -
1970's
In the 1970's, a belief that the influx of social programs in the United States had created social unrest took hold, and social reform began to stagnate with the Nixon Administration. The federal government pulled back on the social reform of the previous decades. But positively universities and colleges established the Bachelor of Social Work as an entry level degree program. -
1980's
Many federal programs were reduced or eliminated during the Reagan administration in the 1980's. These cutbacks resulted in social workers relying heavily on private-sector solutions for social welfare problems. Social workers faced new challenges such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic, crack cocaine, homelessness, and domestic violence. -
1996
The Clinton administration placed greater pressure on on non-profits to fill gaps in service provision. In 1996, the controversial welfare reform bill known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families was passed. Schools of social work also increased funding. -
2000's
By early 2000's social workers made up the largest percentage of professionals working in the mental health and family services fields. This profession helped with the 9/11 Terrorists Attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and the recession that started in 2008. The Mental Health Parity & 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.
