Social Work Management in an Era of Diminishing Federal Responsibility.

The article focuses on the management challenges facing social work in an era of diminishing federal government's responsibility in the United States. The progressive movement emerged in the United States during the late 19th century. Progressives promoted a rational, public, social sciences-based government response to social problems that emphasized economic regulation, meritocracy, social insurance, and other protections, as well as the "professionalization" of services. Progressives were optimistic and humane, and they promoted an environmental view of human behavior that was in contrast to the 19th century view of individual character and will as explanations of the shortcomings of society. The progressive view helped create the context for the development of social work as a profession and established the American social policy agenda for the 20th century. In response to the Great Depression of the 1930s, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal federalized many progressive-initiated state-level social programs. As a result, a new scope of pro- grant construct was created through federal legislation with significant implications for program funding and responsibility.