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In 1601, England came up with the Elizabethen Poor Laws. America was influenced by the laws and created their own version in 1642 where Plymouth Colony was the first.
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The Elizabethen Poor Laws in England were improved in 1795. -
The New Poor Law was introduced in 1834 and included most of the Elizabethen Poor Laws. It included less eligibility meaning being poor was voluntary and that a poor person receiving relief has to have a condition worse than the poorest people. The need for social workers rised starting between 1840-1850. -
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At the end of the civil war in 1865, the federal government became involved with welfare and thus, established the first national agency for social welfare known as the Freedman's Bureau. Before this, it was up to the state to implement any kind of relief.
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In 1869, The Charity Organization Society was created in England. The first office for America was created in 1877 in Buffalo, New York.
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More welfare organizations were created like the Hull House in Chicago in 1889 by jane Addams. -
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The South Side community Service in 1920 was founded as one of 35 settlement houses in Chicago at this time. In 1922, a Puerto Rican woman founded Aspira to uplift Puerto Rican youth in education. -
The Social Security Act was signed in 1935 as well as the Natonal Association of Schools of Social Administration in 1936.
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In 1994, The National Association of Social Workers established the National Committee on Racial and Ethnic diversity to provide members of color to have a voice.
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In 1968, The National Association of Black Social Workers was created during the Civil Rights Movement by Black social workers in San Fransisco. In 1974, a man of Cherokee decent was the first American Indian to graduate with a PHD in social work. -
In 2010, The Affordable Care Act was signed by former President Barack Obama. Former President Joe Biden implemented environmental justice and increased funding for criminal justice reform.
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During this time, the Social Work profession has grew tremendously from the 1600's. The colonial period was an important period for the introduction of social welfare. The life expectency has changed the need for social work over the years by many people and groups realizing the needs of dependent people. The higher the life expectancy, the more need for social workers and their aid on social justice, systematic changes, dignity and mental health incorporation, and education.
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Data Planet. (2020, March 24). Life Expectancy Per Continent 1770-2019. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNMSAdftR8I Suppes, M. A., Wells, C. C., Kiltz, M. L. (2024). Social Welfare Policy: Historical Perspectives. In RedShelf eReader (pp. 81-90). Pearson Education, Inc. Retrieved November 2, 2025. U.S Life Expectancy (1950-2025). Macrotrends. (2025). https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/usa/united-states/life-expectancy