Human Services

Human Services

The Goal of Human Services
Previously we were asked to list some of the basic needs of people and how those needs
are met.   Food, health, and shelter are just a few and there are a number of ways to meet those
needs.   For example, I get up at 5am Monday through Friday.   I get to my job by 7am and am
finished by 3pm.   In a two week period I put in 80 hours.   My employer provides health
coverage.   I receive a paycheck bi-weekly.   Once and week I go grocery shopping and pay my
rent once a month.   All my basic needs are being met and life is good.   Let’s discuss
the person whom does not have a job.   That means that there is no employer to provide health
coverage.   There is no paycheck coming in so that immediately cancels out money for food and
shelter.   What happens to these people?   According to The United State Department of Labor,
Bureau of Labor Statistic, there were 14.5 million people unemployed as of July 2009.   What
about the elderly or mentally ill.   What if they do not have any family or no outside support?
groups?   According to an article from MSNBC, the United States has the highest rate of mental
illness.   How are these people meeting their basic needs and where are they receiving help.   That
is the goal of human service professionals, helping to meet the basic needs of people whether it’s
as a case worker, social worker, patient advocate, crisis or outreach counselor.  
The History of Human Services
I was surprised to learn that the movement of social welfare began in England, but once it
was explained and I thought about it, it made perfect sense.   The pioneers of this country are
from England so it only makes sense that they would adopt the practices of their mother country.  
During the middle ages, The English Elite (the privileged) felt it was their duty to help the poor
and less fortunate so they would section off portions of their land and have the peasants farm it.  
These peasants or serfs would belong to...