Great Depression and A New Deal Social Works

Great Depression and A New Deal

Social Work’s New Beginning Grace Coyle: “The futility of the case-by-case method of dealing with the problem is increasingly obvious. The flood must be stopped at its source, not mopped up by the bucketful, however scientifically modeled the bucket. ”

President Hoover simply refused to act: his belief was that public relief would demoralize the American people. Suggestions such as asking restraunt owners to scrape leftovers into boxes to be handed out to the worthy unemployed. In 1930 he supported a bill to grant Arkansas farmers 45 million for starving cattle, but refused to support the addition of 25 million for starving farmers and their families.

President Hoover A reporter from The Nation magazine asked him: “Must Americans perish miserably because of your fear that their characters may be sullied by the dole. ” This attitude led to a crushing defeat by Roosevelt in 1932.

FDR and the New York Experience As Governor of New York State, FDR pushed many new programs to provide relief to the poor and unemployed because the Federal Government chose to do nothing. “It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails try another. But above all do something. ”

FDR and the New York Experience n n September 23, 1931, NY State passed the State Unemployment Relief Act (the Wicks Act)—the first unemployment program in the country. Created the Temporary Emergency Relief Administration (TERA). Revamped the Public Welfare Law. Created first Old Age Pension Law.

FDR and the New York Experience n n FDR formed strong alliances with Social Workers such as Harry Hopkins who he appointed as Executive Director of TERA. Also formed alliances with private charities.

FDR as President Believed: n n n “Government is not the master but the creature of the people. ” Responsibility for the wellbeing of all citizens; Unemployment is caused by an uncontrolled economic system; Public assistance is a matter of justice; Democracy is dependent upon the health and welfare of its citizens.

FDR as President Shortcomings: n Moved very slowly on civil rights issues, especially for African Americans and hispanic migrant workers; n Believed in short-term relief as a long-term solution; n Held the notion of the worthy poor and unworthy poor.

Programs of the New Deal Federal Emergency Relief Act (FERA): Was enacted in May 1933. Made available $500 million to be distributed as grants-in-aid to states to be used for emergency unemployment relief. 1. Set up the Federal Emergency Relief Agency; 2. Every local relief administrator had to employ at least one social worker; 3. Emphasized work relief, cash assistance, food, and commodities relief.

Programs of the New Deal Civilian Works Administration (CWA): Enacted November 1933. 1. Designed to put lots of people to work quickly; 2. There was no means test attached to qualifying; 3. Offered regular work hours at going wages.

Programs of the New Deal Social Security Act: August 1935. 1. Involved both contributory social insurance and public assistance aimed at preventing destitution; 2. Provided (a) old age insurance, (b) public assistance for the aged, (c) unemployment insurance, (d) public assistance to singleparent families with dependent children, and (e) federal monies for state and local public health work.

Programs of the New Deal Social Security Act Continued Old Age Insurance: At age 65, workers would receive retirement annuities financed by taxes on their wages and on their employers’ payroll. Benefits would vary in proportion to how much they had contributed to the program. Unemployment Insurance: law required employers to contribute to the federal treasury a certain percentage of their payroll for insurance purposes.

Programs of the New Deal Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): Took thousands of unemployed young men off the streets and out of rural slums and put them to work on reforestation and flood and fire control projects. Public Works Administration (PWA): provided employment for millions of citizens in vast public works programs created to stimulate depressed industries, especially construction.

Programs of the New Deal National Youth Administration: provided part-time jobs for high school and college students so that they could earn money for education.

Programs of the New Deal Works Progress Administration: provided jobs for the unemployed, including artists, musicians, and scholars, suited to their skills and experience. http: //americanart. si. edu/exhibitions/online/1934/index. ht ml

Programs of the New Deal Wagner National Labor Relations Act: Gave Unions effective guarantees of their right to organize.

Programs of the New Deal Farm Security Administration: aided small farmers and migrant farm workers.

Programs of the New Deal Wagner-Steagall Housing Act: Established the US Housing Authority to provide low-interest loans to local officials to build public housing.

New Deal’s Impact on Social Work n n n Created many new public service jobs (# of qualified Social Workers doubled over the decade; Stimulated a rush to develop professional School’s of Social Work; Led to a rise in professional organizations that wielded political power; Made social workers aware of the nature and depth of rural poverty; Prompted a resurgence in social reform “You cannot deal effectively with an inferiority complex

New Deal’s Impact on Social Work n n Emphasized the need for social workers to align themselves with groups working for political, social, and economic change. Social Policy emerged as an important component of social work practice. Gave social work credibility as a profession. By the end of the decade, social work was an acknowledged responsibility of the federal government as well as within each state and community in the nation.