Reviews paralysis of U.S. social policy. Notes that, although federal government has implemented new social programs, programs either are provided on condition of willingness to work or are modest in scope. Linking paralysis with literature on government ineffectuality, traces origins of ineffectuality of political/economic policies of past 20…

Asserts that the strengths perspective, which posits that the strengths and resources of people and their environment should be the central focus of the helping process in social work, can be used to reformulate problem-focused, pathology-centered approaches to social policy development. Discusses methods for initiating this integration. (JPS)

In 1974, categorical aid programs administered by the states were replaced by the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. After discussing SSI's provision of income support for the mentally ill, the authors examine the social, psychiatric, and policymaking implications of providing income assistance through SSI to those labeled as…

Accountability is an issue of high visibility, high priority, and great controversy in the social work profession today. The authors try to show what accountability is about, where the profession falls short, and what might be done. (Authors)

Concern over Social Security's forecasted long-run deficit is occurring at a time when the program has a short-term surplus. One proposed strategy to address this forecasted deficit is to allow the investment of a portion of payroll taxes into private savings accounts (PSAs). The author analyzes recent proposals for PSAs and concludes that PSAs…

The author used participant observation techniques to determine what the 1972 Congressional affirmative action mandate meant to Head Start personnel, and what happened as a result of the mandate. The author's findings variously contradict or explain the results of a survey conducted in 1973 by the Office of Child Development. (SJL)

Describes an evaluation of an innovative site-based service program, the Growth and Achievement Program (GAP). Results show that GAP clients had significantly higher gain scores than did the comparison group and were less likely to rely on public financial assistance as their primary source of income. (RJM)

Evaluating a federal agency's success in stimulating and broadening the program efforts of community organizations present a challenge to social science researchers. The authors describe a methodology developed and used effectively in one metropolitan area to measure program change. They identify and utilize the findings to show how greater change…

To find a solution to the many economic, health, and education problems confronting the American Indian, it is proposed that a National Conference on American Indians be called by the president. Such a conference, patterned after previous White House Conferences, would give Indians an opportunity to address themselves to the resolution of their…

Presents a brief analytic summary of all readily available social and psychological research concerning apparent causes and consequences of adolescent childbearing. Existing federal programs addressed to this problem are listed with recommendations for further development of public policies and programs. (Author)

Examines the new brand of federalism and of welfare reform. Looks at policy initiatives that will affect children, research priorities for the future, and ways to counter the spread of the conservative social agenda. Claims that welfare reform research must be disseminated so as to promote children's well-being. (RJM)

Presents a study of 207 employed AFDC recipients whose benefits were terminated or reduced by 1981 federal policy changes. Findings report respondents' source of income, household characteristics, employment history, expense patterns, child care, coping and social support strategies, health and health care, and psychosocial outlook on life.…

The rate at which retarded children are deinstitutionalized is being slowed by this country's failure to emphasize programs supportive of these children's families. The author proposes changes in policy to increase assistance and support to the family as a unit. (Author)

Knowledge of the basic elements of environmental design could perhaps add new dimensions to the services that social workers provide to their clients. A proposal is made that might open up new roles for social workers. (Authors)

Because welfare entitlements are increasingly unpopular, social work advocates need to place greater emphasis on job growth and alternate mechanisms for wealth redistribution, including refundable tax credits for working poor people. The Internal Revenue Code can be an effective weapon in combating poverty if antipoverty approaches in the code are…