Family Services history

Office of Family Assistance (1934, formerly Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Social Security Act Visit disclaimer page (PDF))

Office of Community Services (1964, Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 Visit disclaimer page)

In the early 1970’s Pennsylvania developed one of the earliest state-funded family support initiatives for children with intellectual disabilities.

Administration for Native Americans (1974, Native Americans Programs Act of 1974 Visit disclaimer page)

Administration on Children, Youth and Families (1977, Reorganization of the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare Visit disclaimer page)

Beginning in 1986 the reauthorization language was amended to recognize and mandate the role of parents and family members in the provision of services and policies for those with developmental disabilities.

State governments establishing policies and programs to support and strengthen families of young children (Weiss, 1989) represent the next wave of the family support movement.

Office of Child Care (1990, Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 Visit disclaimer page)

View the April 15, 1991 press release for the HHS reorganization Visit disclaimer page (TXT).

The 1997 Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) (P.L. 105–89) marked the first time issues related to permanency were explicitly stated in legislation, which was pivotal in changing the landscape of child welfare practice.

In 2000 the DD Act was again reauthorized, this time it wasn’t just the role of families but the concept of family support overall that was elevated within the Act as Title II: Family Support.

Office of Human Services and Emergency Preparedness and Response (2006, Federal Register E6-21010) Visit disclaimer page

Office on Trafficking in Persons (2015, Federal Register 2015-14313 Visit disclaimer page)

Key United States Child Welfare Laws(opens in new window) North American Council on Adoptable Children (2020) Summarizes key Federal laws that affect children in foster care and those who are adopted from the child welfare system.