NCJ Number
192234
Journal
Children's Voice Volume: 10 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2001 Pages: 12-16
Date Published
September 2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article presents a review of the Social Services Block Grant (SSBC) providing Federal funds to all 50 States in the implementation of human service programs and the steady decline in Federal dollars and its impact on services.
Abstract
The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) originated in 1956 when Congress amended the Social Security Act funding services for families on welfare. SSBG provided Federal dollars to all 50 States and the District of Columbia to develop and implement human service programs ranging from child care to juvenile justice. The SSBG’s funding availability began strong with an increase in the 1960's making funding more flexible. However, in the 1970's, funding became a budgetary issue and the reorganizing of social service spending was paramount. Social services were reorganized under Title XX of the Social Security Act. The redesign incorporated eligibility standards, lists of permissible services, goals, self-support, self-sufficiency, preventing abuse of children and adults, referral and admission services for institutional care, and preventing inappropriate institutionalization. SSBG funding remained constant and stable in the 1980's and the early 1990's. When welfare reform was enacted in 1996, Congress had drastically reduced the SSBG’s budget. The impact on services with reduced funding was handled differently by the States with some filling the gap by supplementing from their State budgets and others reducing programs. Even with the alteration of SSBG services due to funding reductions, the need of children and families has not declined. These funds were seen as affecting the lives and programs in every community.