1. Social Welfare Policy and Underlying Values
Chapter 1

2. Social Work Code of Ethics
Section 6
Social Workers should promote the general welfare of society
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

3. Social Work Code of Ethics
Section 6.04 (a)
Social Workers should be aware of the impact of the political arena on practice and should advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions in order to meet basic human needs and promote social justice.
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

4. Social Welfare Let’ break it down
1. Social – U.S. society in our collective nature
2. Welfare – well-being, state of healthy balance
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

5. “Well being of society”
Social Welfare
Together they mean
“Well being of society”
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

6. Why Study Social Welfare?
It is about us
We are both –
providers
recipients
To understand the social welfare system
As citizens we are policy makers
To understand the influence that values and beliefs have on social welfare policies and systems
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

7. Social Welfare Systems
Social Issues
Policy Goals
Legislation/regulation
Programs
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

8. Questions to ask Who gets the services? Why do they get the services?
What do they receive?
How do they receive services?
What does it cost?
Who pays for it?
Eligibility
Program Goals
Benefits
Service Delivery System
Cost Analysis
Financing
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

9. Purpose of a Social Welfare System
To provide a safety net of emergency services
To provide services that cannot be effectively provided on an individual basis
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

10. Policy Development Residual
Calls for organized public interventions when the normal resources of family and the market place breakdown
Social services are required when a problem cannot be address by individual resources
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

11. Policy Development Institutional
Social welfare programs are seen as a normal part of the social structure
Institutional social welfare policy see providing service as a legitimate function of society
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

12. Provision of Services
Universality – Social services that provide benefits to all members of society, regardless of income and means
Selectivity – Services are restricted to those who can demonstrate need through eligibility criteria
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

13. Social Welfare Policy Blend
Residual
Universal – Federal Emergency Management Act – FEMA
Selective – Cash Assistance, Food Stamps, and Medicaid
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

14. Social Welfare Policy Blend
Institutional
Universal – Public Education
Fire and police protection
Selective – Social Security
Medicare
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

15. Values and Beliefs
A value is the worth, desirability,or usefulness placed on something
A belief is an opinion or conviction
Both have shifting impact on social welfare policy
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

16. Religious Values
Development of social welfare services can be traced to values reflected in the dominant religions of our country
Goals of religious charitable efforts were to uphold moral character, maintain humbleness, and help those who are less fortunate
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

17. Social Values
Two competing yet strong social values that shape policy are:
Social responsibility and citizenship
Hard work and self-sufficiency
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

18. Competing Beliefs Undeserving Individual Responsibility
Individual Change
Self-sufficiency
Entitlement
Aid to Those we Know
Deserving
Social Responsibility
Social Change
Social Support
Handout
Aid Stranger
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

19. Competing Beliefs Religious and Faith Based Practice Crisis Response
Sympathy
Trust
Rationality
Separation of Church and State
Prevention
Empathy
Suspicion
Emotions
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education

20. For Consideration U.S. beliefs that we all have freedom of choice
Do we all really have freedom to choose how we live our lives?
How does that create social injustice?
How do social welfare polices and programs assist in providing choices?
Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, by Elizabeth Segal
Copyright 2007, Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Higher Education