Origins of Social Work from Social Policy for Effective Practice, by Rosemary Chapin Chapter 2, “The Historical Context: Basic Concepts and Early Influences” © 2011 Taylor and Francis

Child-Saving Movement Family privacy and autonomy sacred Concern about growing numbers of children in need Desire to prevent crime, juvenile delinquency, adult dependence Interventions: Institutionalization “Orphan trains” (1853–1929) Precursor to modern foster care system Some children involved in the orphan trains were not really orphans, but the children of poor, immigrant families—how does this parallel today’s foster care policies? © 2011 Taylor and Francis

Charity Organization Societies, late 1800s to early 1900s Professionalization and coordination of services Used model of social casework Emphasis on individual “improvement” Used social research Organized charitable giving Resisted increased government role in aid provision Systematized record-keeping in helping services © 2011 Taylor and Francis

Settlement Houses Established in working-class neighborhoods Part of Progressive Era, peak in ~1920s Focused on social reform Utilized strengths perspective Influenced juvenile justice system, early education, child labor Provided foundation for community- based/macro origins of social work profession © 2011 Taylor and Francis

Bridging the Gaps By turn of last century, settlement house workers and COS beginning to cooperate Casework overshadowed social reform in the merged profession Desire for professional recognition propelled search for theories and pursuit of status Schools of social work have origins in training schools organized by COS © 2011 Taylor and Francis

“Person-in-environment” is born COS and social casework Settlement houses and social reform © 2011 Taylor and Francis