Welfare reform 1973: the social services dimension

Area of Science:

• Social Policy and Public Administration
• Human Services Research
• Welfare Reform Strategies

Background:

• Existing public social service models often lack clear objectives or coordination.
• Previous approaches by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) are partially integrated.
• There is a need for a more cohesive and measurable framework for social service delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an advanced model for public social services that enhances synergy and measurability.
• To establish a coherent relationship between service aims, typologies, and at-risk populations.
• To facilitate the development of a science of human services through systematic evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Development of a composite target population for service planning.
• Reorganization of service programs into a limited number of measurable functions.
• Establishing consistent relationships between aims, service conception, and populations at risk.

Main Results:

• The proposed model offers moderate and attainable objectives for at-risk populations.
• Service programs are regrouped into well-defined, measurable functions.
• A coherent interrelationship among aims, service conception, and populations at risk is established, fostering synergy.

Conclusions:

• The model advances public social services by improving focus, organization, and measurability.
• This integrated approach allows for testing and substitution of service components, leading to greater effectiveness.
• The framework supports the development of a science of human services through empirical feedback and adaptation.