The 1967 amendments to the Social Security Act authorized 75 percent Federal financial participation in State and local costs of providing social services, specified in an approved State plan, for public assistance recipients and former or potential recipients. The objective of the social services program is to assist States to: (1) provide social services to needy children and their parents (2) provide services to help aged, blind, and other handicapped adults to attain or retain capabilities for self-care, selfsupport, and personal independence. In 1970, the average monthly number of families receiving AFDC was 1,922,000. The number of families is expected to increase to 2,398,250 in 1971 and to 2,842,950 in 1972. Accompanying the increased caseload will be a demand for more services to strengthen and improve family living, to prevent family breakdown or to alleviate the effects of broken homes, to strengthen the capability of parents to carry out their parental role and improve parent-child relationships, to assist people in coping with the problems attendant on economic and social deprivation and to open up opportunities to enhance the quality of family and personal living. The following situations are indicative of the kinds of problems that social services agencies will address in 1971 and 1972: 400,000 AFDC children were judged to be mentally retarded; According to recent studies, 80 percent of AFDC mothers want to be self-supporting provided they can adequately provide for their families; 60 percent of AFDC families live in sub-standard housing; 15 percent of AF DC mothers are physically or mentally incapacitated. Many more have chronic impairments. At least 10 percent of AF DC mothers suffer from emotional disorders; 14.5 percent of AFDC mothers are currently working; and 6 of 10 AFDC mothers are not employable because of incapacity, The 1971 program of social services moves a long way toward providing a variety of specific social services in a comprehensive program designed to meet the total needs of the recipient. The aim of this program is to create opportunities for helping the recipient develop more fully his social, economic, and personal potential. In most States the same staff that handled social services simultaneously determined eligibility. There is reason to believe that because of the nondifferentiated functions of staff--which was both legal and in accord with policy--75 percent claims were often being made for functions related to determining eligibility for financial and/or medical assistance. At the same time, services, to some extent, were being provided for which only 50 percent matching was claimed. Because of this diffusion in responsibilities, the Federal Government has encouraged States to separate staff functions of establishing eligibility for financial and medical assistance from those related to social services by providing a financial incentive to those States achieving separation. Seventyfive percent Federal financial participation is provided for States with separation; 50 percent Federal financial participation is provided for States without separation. Although there is currently no legal mandate for separation, it is strongly believed that separation will result in improvements in the quality and quantity of social services. In addition, with the achievement of separation, specific staff functions can be evaluated and cost estimates derived. In fiscal year 1971, a new social service legislation package is being submitted for consideration by the Congress to provide for reform measures in social services. These measures will provide the means of assuring State accountability for Federal funds. They will provide the States with an improved capability for program management and for determining cost effectiveness. The proposed legislation will provide for increased funds for the foster care and adoption programs. It will also provide for some degree of equalization of State programs by earmarking funds to bring all State expenditures for social services at least up to the present national average. These reforms will be a giant step toward improving States' social services programs. New service legislation and separation, coupled with the development and implementation of a comprehensive management information system, should provide the means for determining what services were provided to what target groups, at what cost, and with what result. AFDC Program for 1971 Some of the major services with respect to AFDC are homemaker services, counseling services, family planning services, family-life education, services to assist in child rearing, home and financial management services, day care, in-home child care, help in obtaining and utilizing health services, legal services, housing services, self-support services, education services, and programs to maximize the educational and social development of children. As of March 1970, a total of 810,000 families and 2,128,000 children were reported by 45 States to be receiving one or more social services under the AFDC program. Some of the types of services received by AFDC families and children are as follows. Many families received more than one type of care during the year. The above list is by no means all inclusive. Specific annual data are not available on the number of children in non-WIN child care and special child care or on families receiving homemaker services. There are indications, however, that these services have accelerated over the past year and will continue to do so. Adult Programs for 1971 During 1971, it is expected that adult services will be extended to all States and that the quality of services will be improved. The number of individuals being served is expected to increase as follows: (1) 101,000 adults are currently being provided protective services. This number is expected to increase to 125,000 during 1971. (2) 65,900 clients are currently being provided services to help them leave institutions and prevent unnecessary institutionalization by helping them to remain in their own homes ("in-home" service). This number is expected to increase to 115,000 during 1971. New services will be developed for 50,000 adults living in community-based housing and other social care institutions. 1972 Program Plans During 1972, the number of adults and families and children requiring and provided with needed social services will increase. Target Groups: While attempting to provide a comprehensive program which will encompass and meet the more pressing service needs of current, former, and potential public assistance recipients, States focus especially upon certain needy groups within this eligible population. It is expected that social services supplied to these groups will diminish the incidence or severity of future social problems and their accompanying public costs. The target groups for which special emphasis will be directed in the 1972 program are: Families 1. 2. 3. AFDC families at the ready or almost ready stage of manpower training or job acceptance Alcoholic parents and their families Migrant families 4. Families in crisis situations, especially potential marital breakups, parent-child difficulties, and severe environmental problems 4. Children needing part-time or full-time care in parents' Social services directed to children disadvantaged for a variety of reasons are an investment in the future of these children growing into adulthood. Corrective services as of today are designed to assist children to be more adequately self-sustaining persons in their adult years. 63-792 O 71 pt. 2 - 4 Social services to persons at the ready or almost ready stage of manpower training or job acceptance are designed to be helpful to enable such persons to move into self-support programs. All during the period that enabling services are offered to adults, supplemental child care is indicated for a number of children. These child care services as well as direct curative services may continue to be required for a considerable number of children for short or lengthy periods of time. Goals and Objectives While attempting to meet the full scope and intent of the social services provisions of the Social Security Act, to the degree adopted by each State plan, the Federal program for 1972 emphasizes five major goals with related objectives. They are as follows: II. Self-care and Protection for Vulnerable Aged and Disabled Adults D. Prevent neglect, exploitation and abuse and protect legal rights E. Provide access to health services and resources III. Family Stability A. Promote and provide family planning B. Reduce the number of families living in sub-standard housing and environment D. Promote mental and physical health with emphasis on reducing alcoholism, malnutrition and drug addiction |