The Future of Social Services in the U.S.

SW821, Section 001

Contemporary trends and developments in the U.S. social service system will provide the starting point for this course. The future of social services will be considered in relation to demographic, social, economic, and political trends which have an impact on the need for services and responses to those needs. The funding and provision of social services will be examined from the perspective of the respective roles and responsibilities of the individual, the family, the workplace, the voluntary sector, and government. Issues of program efficiency, effectiveness, and equity will be discussed in terms of alternative approaches to social services.